Move over regular coffee, mushroom coffee is muscling into the spotlight. As people search for ways to cut back on caffeine while still getting an energy and productivity boost, adding functional mushrooms like cordyceps, lion’s mane, and chaga to coffee has become an intriguing concept.
Two of the most buzzed-about mushroom coffee brands right now are Beyond Brew and RYZE. But how exactly do these funghi-fueled coffee alternatives stack up? I decided to dig into the details.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Beyond Brew | RYZE |
| Format | Actual brewed coffee with dual-extracted mushrooms | Powdered mushroom blend mixed into beverages |
| Caffeine Content | 10mg per serving | 2mg per serving from cacao |
| Macronutrients | None (no protein, fats) | 5g fat from coconut milk powder; 1g protein |
| Micronutrients | Antioxidants, beta-glucans from mushrooms | Antioxidants from mushrooms & cacao |
| Ingredients | Organic coffee beans, cordyceps, lion’s mane, chaga, Reishi mushrooms | Cordyceps, lion’s mane, Reishi, Turkey Tail, other mushrooms + coconut milk powder + cacao |
| Flavour Profile | Earthy, rich coffee + mushroom taste | Chocolatey, sweet, hints of mushroom earthiness |
| Texture | Standard brewed coffee | Smooth and creamy when blended |
| Pricing | $1 per single-serve packet; $14.99 per 15-count box | $1.62 to $1.87 per serving for tubs |
| Purchase Options | Only available direct-to-consumer through company website | Only available by becoming a distributor, no ecommerce sales |
Key Takeaways
- Beyond Brew offers an actual mushroom coffee drink while RYZE is a powdered additive
- RYZE provides more fat and protein from coconut milk but lower antioxidant content
- Beyond Brew has small amount of caffeine whereas RYZE is nearly caffeine-free
- Beyond Brew has more potential for mainstream retail growth with ecommerce site
- RYZE limited currently to multi-level marketing model requiring distributor signup
Getting To Know Beyond Brew
Founded in 2019 by entrepreneur Nate D’Anna, Beyond Brew bills itself as a “dual extract” coffee alternative made from organic coffee beans and a blend of mushrooms including cordyceps, lion’s mane, chaga, and Reishi.
As the name suggests, Beyond Brew aims to take your morning routine beyond regular coffee into more functional territory.
Pros
- Uses both hot and cold water extractions to pull out the maximum beneficial compounds from the organic coffee beans and mushrooms
- Provides natural energy, focus and immunity benefits from the mushrooms
- Features adaptogenic mushrooms which help moderate caffeine response
- Decaf option available for those avoiding stimulants
- Lower acidity than regular coffee
- Non-GMO, soy free, gluten free
- Compostable single-serve pouches for convenience
Cons
- Only available direct-to-consumer online right now, no Amazon listings or presence in retail stores
- Have to brew it yourself rather than buying ready-to-drink bottles/cans
- No K-cup style single serve pods for Keurig convenience
- Slightly more expensive per serving than regular coffee
- Contains some caffeine, so not totally stim-free
Getting To Know RYZE
Launched in 2021 by parent company Elevacity, RYZE bills itself as a creamer-style “MCT Mushroom Cacao” powder made from cordyceps, lion’s mane, Reishi, Turkey Tail and other mushrooms blended with coconut milk powder and cacao.
It’s designed to simply mix into coffee, tea, smoothies or milk as a “brain-benefiting,” “blissful” and “resilient” health boost.
Pros
- Provides nootropic benefits from blend of six functional mushrooms
- Features adaptogenic mushrooms to moderate caffeine response
- Adds healthy fats from coconut milk powder
- Includes antioxidant-rich raw cacao
- Blends smoothly into any beverage
- Unflavored original version also available
- Easy to travel with or take on-the-go
- Plant-based, dairy free, soy free, gluten free
- Non-GMO, USDA Organic Certified, vegan
Cons
- Contains some caffeine from the cacao
- Have to supply your own coffee, tea, etc to mix it into
- Only available through multi-level-marketing model right now, no Amazon presence
- Doesn’t contain actual brewed coffee like Beyond Brew
- Pricing model incentivizes distributors recruiting downline vs. selling product
Nutritional Profile Comparison
Both products provide nutrition from functional mushrooms filled with compounds like beta-glucans, triterpenes, and plant adaptogens. But they differ quite a bit in their complete nutritional profiles.
Since RYZE is a mushroom powder blended with coconut milk and cacao to mix into beverages, it offers more robust macronutrients from the medium chain triglyceride (MCT) fats and some protein.
Beyond Brew gets its nutrition solely from dual-extracted coffee beans and compressed mushroom fruiting bodies, giving you antioxidants and polyphenols but less fat and protein.
Here’s how 10 grams (1 serving) shakes out:
| Nutrient | RYZE | Beyond Brew |
| Fat (g) | 5 | 0 |
| Carbs (g) | 2 | 2 |
| Protein (g) | 1 | 0 |
| Caffeine (mg) | 2 | 10 |
So while RYZE wins on macronutrients with its coconut fat and protein, Beyond Brew delivers more antioxidants and bioactive compounds extracted straight from mushrooms along with a bit more caffeine for sustained energy.
Ingredient Transparency
When it comes to nutritional supplements and functional foods, ingredient transparency is paramount. We all know that “proprietary blends” on labels are code for “we don’t want to tell you exactly what’s in here or how much.”
Beyond Brew does a solid job revealing all ingredients including specific mushroom varieties, right down to listing that their Reishi contains triterpenes and polysaccharides. RYZE’s ingredients do show which mushrooms are included but without further details on compounds or ratios. Beyond Brew by a hair here.
Taste Test
Since Beyond Brew features actual brewed coffee while RYZE does not, it’s not an apples-to-apples flavor comparison. But I tried both products and can share some tasting notes.
Beyond Brew features a rich, earthy, mushroomy flavor with some natural sweetness.
The dual extraction brings out that syrupy coffee opacity.
It tastes like a pretty straight-up cup of mushroom coffee, with the mushrooms muscling the beans a bit on flavor dominance.
RYZE has a very dessert-like taste from the coconut milk powder and cacao.
There is a slight mushroom earthiness but it’s buried under all the chocolate and nuttiness. Almost reminds me of sipping on a mocha latte. The texture is silky and smooth.
If you just want something that tastes like coffee, Beyond Brew is your best bet. If you prefer a sweet, chocolatey plant-based creamer, go for RYZE.
Price Comparison
Both brands offer subscriptions with discounts, but let’s compare list pricing.
Beyond Brew breaks down to:
- $1.00 per single-serve packet
- $14.99 for a 15-count box
RYZE pricing is a little more complex since you need to buy through a multi-level distributor:
- $55.95 for a 30-serving tub
- $194.99 for a 120-serving tub
If we divide those tubs out by per serving, that’s:
- $1.87 per serving (30 tub)
- $1.62 per serving (120 tub)
No matter which tub you choose, RYZE comes out more expensive. But Beyond Brew requires you to buy at least a 15-count box. So if you just wanted to try a couple single servings, RYZE may be more affordable access.
Availability Comparison
Right now Beyond Brew is only available through their own website, no Amazon listings or brick-and-mortar retail presence.
But since they’re a standalone ecommerce company selling direct-to-consumer, expanding retail availability long-term seems very possible.
RYZE can only be purchased currently by signing up as a distributor to order inventory.
There are no direct ecommerce purchase options for one-off customers. And as an MLM company, getting into mainstream retail spaces seems unlikely.
So Beyond Brew definitely wins on accessibility and convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
There aren’t many creamer-style mushroom powders comparable to RYZE right now. It’s the first I’ve seen that blends coconut milk and cacao with adaptogenic mushrooms for mixing into coffee and tea. A very similar MLM product format is Prymal Coffee Creamers, but those use MCT oil and don’t contain actual mushrooms.
The mushroom blend RYZE uses does include proven superfood mushroom varieties like cordyceps, lion’s mane and Reishi that can boost immunity, focus and even mood. And they source high-integrity organic ingredients. However, some nutritionists debate the benefit of coconut milk powder and cacao/chocolate in a daily beverage. So some of RYZE’s ingredients may provide more health perks than others.
If you just want to mix a bit of mushroom nutrition into your coffee routine, then yes RYZE can provide that. Especially if you like creamy, chocolatey coffee drinks. However, signing up as a distributor just to purchase it may not feel worthwhile if you won’t actively sell the product. RYZE seems worth exploring mainly if you want to tap into the business opportunity side. Otherwise, a product like Beyond Brew makes more sense for just mushroom coffee consumption.
There don’t seem to be specific weight loss claims associated with RYZE. Consuming mushrooms like cordyceps, lion’s mane and others may provide energy, immunity and concentration benefits but likely minimal direct impact on fat loss for most people. The coconut milk powder adds MCT fats that some dieters use for appetite control and fat burning effects. But overall there’s little evidence that RYZE itself contributes significantly to losing weight. Boosting energy and mood with the mushrooms could help fuel workouts though!
Closing Remarks
At the end of the day, while both provide mushroom benefits, if you specifically want mushroom coffee Beyond Brew is your best pick. And with its ecommerce model and product positioning, Beyond Brew looks to have greater mainstream growth trajectory over the MLM-structured RYZE.
But RYZE offers a creamy, chocolatey way to get some mushroom nutrition into other beverages like lattes and smoothies.
Hope this gives you a detailed lay of the land on how Beyond Brew and RYZE compare! Let me know if you have any other questions.
I have been buying RYZE for several months. No distributor or signup talk. I think your info for purchasing is a bit outdated.
I enjoyed reading your findings. I am not a coffee drinker at all. Do not like the taste of coffee. I don’t do well with caffeine, so I tried the Ryze. Only reason I looked at Beyond Brew, is to see if it tastes better. I have alway been a Chia Tea drinker. I am looking for something to have better gut health. So, I am gathering that Ryze might be the best choice for me based on your findings. Thanks so much for this article.