This vanilla hazelnut mocha with medicinal mushrooms is cozy and decadent as all hell. Notes of caramel meet sweet maple and smoky vanilla, coffee, and a hint of salt. This tonic is organic, paleo, plant-based, gluten/grain/refined sugar/dairy free, though feel free to include grass fed pasture raised raw goat’s milk or another type of milk you prefer such as homemade activated nut milk! Invigorate your day with delicious whole foods, easily blended up!
Today I’ve teamed up with Wild Bloom Botanicals to bring you this epic vanilla hazelnut mocha latte recipe with medicinal mushrooms! From Edmonton to Toronto across Turtle Island, this blend is perhaps as “local” as can be, and Wild Bloom is a company that I intuitively, wholeheartedly trust.
Medicinal mushrooms/adaptogens in general have become quite a buzzword over the past decade, and for good reason. Mushrooms of all kinds hold the key to so, so much, and it would serve us well to heed their wisdom for both the outer world, our inner human ecosystems, and personal experience and purpose on this earth. Mushrooms (possibly along with all around nutritional repletion) have taught me many things. Some mushrooms can even break down plastic and nourish our bodies with powerful resilience on cellular and spiritual levels. This is quite vital to look into when considering the accelerating transformation of earth’s ecosystems, the rapid depletion of nutrients in mono-cropped agricultural soils, and the general wackiness of this age. Nourish yourself and begin to nourish what’s around you on all levels. Begin where you are, trust, and thrive.
The Wild Bloom Botanicals mushroom cacao milk blend is a total dream that meets my stringent criteria. It’s made with only organic, mostly locally grown whole food ingredients as nature intended, and zero preservatives, gums, hidden fillers, manufactured flavours, and/or additives. No ingredients have been irradiated and all mushrooms have been properly dual extracted for optimal bioavailability, potency and efficacy. This blend is bursting with straight up life force, free of BS. Most other cacao blends I’ve tried usually don’t have enough coconut milk powder (or simply none at all) so it ends up pretty watery and plain on its own. With this blend though, it’s easy to get a genuinely creamy and velvety texture without having to add in extra coconut milk. Score! That means you can take it along to travel or go camping with it really easily.
Never underestimate the power of full spectrum nutritional intervention when it comes to various issues you may be experiencing. Adaptogens are foods that are here for you to help your body (and therefore your mind) adapt to modern stressors of all kinds, working with your body’s quest to reach balance, aka homeostasis, your body’s natural state of radiant health among life’s many doozies. They work on a molecular level by regulating a stable balance in the hypothalamic, pituitary and adrenal glands involved in the stress response, and aid in recovery from periods of short or long-term stress. Studies have shown that adaptogens combat fatigue, enhance mental and physical well being, and really help you thrive, rather than just survive. Adaptogens present in different herbs serve unique purposes but all contribute to improved mental function, mood, and well being. Although the results may not be instant, adaptogens are the ideal stress relievers because of their natural, subtle but powerful attributes.
I believe that coffee can be medicinal depending on how it is used. In Western/modern industrial societies it is definitely the most abused, ‘socially acceptable’ legal drug of all time, taken in obscene quantities, usually sprayed with pesticides and served in plastic lined cups with sugar drug syrups (I’ve been there). Here it plays a role in the flavour combination in which I recommend using decaf, fairly traded/homegrown and mycotoxin-free organic or biodynamic coffee beans. Brewed and cooled wild local chaga tea is a great herbal alternative to the coffee as well. Always use spring water or filtered, structured water, and sip with unfettered joy.
Hazelnut butter is an absolute must in this recipe, ideally the nuts are raw and have initially been activated. I mean, you could opt for activated almond butter here, which is otherwise a top tier nut butter, but it won’t be the same. Trust me. And if you’re allergic to hazelnuts, I’m sorry but you’ll have to find another recipe.
Please, just tell me the ingredients in this blend!
Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) – organic and dual extracted – known as the king of the medicinal mushrooms and among the most recommended herbal adaptogens by health practitioners, ‘experts’ and experiencers alike. Anti-aging adaptogen (though aging and the wisdom that ensues should be embraced!) that provides DNA repair, immune boosting, and anti fungal benefits, to name just a few. Chaga is loaded with melanin which repairs your DNA, making Chaga a powerful tonic herb to integrate into your life, especially during the warmer months when your body is (hopefully) exposed to more sunlight. Chaga is also protects you from radiation damage, not only from the sun but also radiation from airplanes, x-ray scanners, and radiation-based cancer treatments.
“Chaga is known by the ancients as the king of the herbs, the Chinese coined that term; or the diamond of the forest, the Japanese… or the king of all plants, the Siberians… the Gift of God. It’s a universal way to adapt.”
Dr. Cass Ingram
**Hot tip: if you’re foraging, always, always forage wild (di Tao) chaga and anything else sustainably, or else a chaga fairy will die 🙁 We must be responsible custodians of the lands we reside on: when you take, you must give back. This powerful mushroom can take up to 20 years to fully grow back, so be sure to keep plenty on the tree for you and others to enjoy for generations to come.
Raw cacao (Theobroma cacao) – packed with minerals and vital magnesium, mood boosting and energizing. Absolutely delicious, promotes health and longevity thanks to the rich phytonutrients and fiber. The OG chocolate. Promotes good mood, keeps you satiated, reduces cravings for food-like products due to the polyphenols, promotes heart health and skin health, reduces inflammation, and is a prebiotic due to its fiber. A traditionally sacred, powerful food that tastes amazing, synergistically improves the delivery of micronutrients to your cells, and promotes feelings of happiness, calmness and love! So powerful. I crave cacao frequently, as many of us do. Not to be confused with cocoa powder, its processed and ineffective cousin.
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lingzhi) – organic, dual extracted – one of my all time favourite medicinal mushrooms, heart opening Reishi or ‘the mushroom of immortality’ is one of the most highly revered herbs in the Daoist tradition that has personally reduced my own generalized anxiety and mental distress, helping me cultivate a profound sense of fearlessness and zen. Part of Reishi’s Dao is to help us connect into a wider, mythic state of being, it’s even been described as a “deep psychedelic” in a very subtle but powerful sense of the word. Used traditionally in Eastern medicine to expand Shen (the spiritual essence of our being), support immune and nervous system function, and improve sleep quality, promoting deep and restful sleep. May support heart & immune system, stress management, liver, kidneys and lungs, cardiovascular function, healthy sleep and mood, jing, qi and shen. Western science also recognises reishi as a powerful immune herb and as an adaptogen for its ability to help us fight stress. I’ve even seen people report a better experience with asthma while using reishi! The more reverence these herbs are sourced with, the more powerful the intangible benefits will be.
Lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) – organic, dually extracted lion’s mane is a brain boosting, neuroprotective medicinal mushroom known to repair damaged neurons in the brain and nervous system. Over time, lion’s mane helps improve memory and cognitive function, helping form new neural pathways. Studies have shown it to be very effective in people with declining brain function. Lion’s mane is a great source of beta-glucans, polysaccharides that act as “biological response modifiers” in humans, meaning when ingested, they awaken and greatly augment our own native immune cells to carry out actions that they’re designed to do but may be executing poorly – exposing and removing decaying cells, improving surveillance to pathogenic threats, and regulating rogue inflammation in the body, offering potent benefits for immune dysregulatory conditions, inflammatory disorders and stealth infections. Lion’s mane may also support optimal organ function, nerve, cognitive and digestive health, immune system, stomach lining, and memory. Nootropics have permeated the West in recent years and lion’s mane is the star of the show, popular with the “biohacking” crowd, traditionally used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years as a digestive tonic, prescribed for gastric ulcers as well as general debility and neurasthenia, and a genuinely great ‘shroom I like to consume on occasion. Recently I procured fresh lion’s mane from a local organic farm and added it to a hearty bone broth stew like my ancestors must’ve done… it was elite.
Turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor) – organic, dually extracted turkey tail is a super immune boosting medicinal mushroom proven to fight cancer cells, and support liver, colon, and kidney health. Turkey tail is used by Daoists to cultivate a robust immune system that’s able to combat pathogens. Turkey tail is a potent tonic herb revered on nearly every continent, high in protein-bound polysaccharides PSK and PSP, explaining its ability to elevate surface and core immunity against all sorts of dangerous pathogens. Turkey tail is used to replenish Qi (chi, or life force), supporting bone health, toning the liver, and improving gut health with its prebiotics helping nourish helpful bacteria and suppressing harmful species. May also support liver function, digestive health, Qi, respiratory health, and stress management. An incredible mushroom to take as a preventative measure.
Cordyceps mushroom (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) – organic, dual extracted – Cordyceps mushroom is a powerful potentiating Daoist adaptogenic Lung and Kidney tonic that can fortify the immune system with prevention and help colds and flus dissipate in days, if they even get a chance to start! Cordy, as I like to call it, is an energizing medicinal mushroom full of antioxidants, polysaccharides and beta-glucans, known for improving oxygen intake & boosting stamina and endurance, so pop a teaspoon into your pre-workout and watch as the activity becomes a breeze. Oxygen is needed for ATP (energy) production, and cordyceps help the cells take in an increased amount of oxygen. Cordy can also fortify your Jing, or primordial energy that resides in the Kidneys, improving your core energy and increasing your cellular performance, resilience, and endurance, cultivating a robust sense of energy in the body, mind and spirit, pacifying inflammation and cellular decline. I actually haven’t been particularly drawn to cordy for myself but I find it quite nice in this blend. You won’t be disappointed integrating this magical and powerful potentiating powerhouse into your life, safe to use for both the young and the young at heart. From athletes to the elderly to postpartum mothers and those seeking to replenish their foundational energy stores, Cordy’s got your back.
Coconut milk powder (Cocos nucifera) – a decent ratio of coconut milk to medicinal herb comprises this blend, providing a creamy texture perfect for desserts, snacks, and tonics alike. Full of healthy fats to balance blood sugar, benefit the brain, and reduce stress on the adrenal glands.
Pure vanilla bean (Vanilla planifolia) – adds a creamy and decadent flavour, full of antioxidants helping repair your body on the molecular level. Antibacterial, reduces inflammation in the body, mental health booster, fever reducer, and cholesterol stabilizer, to name just a few. (x)
**Properly dual extracting tonic herbs (and spagyric extractions if you want to go the extra mile for a more well rounded full spectrum of the plant’s physical and spiritual qualities) are ideal ways to make their medicinal constituents more bioavailable. Certain herbs such as chaga when raw have a basically nonexistent medicinal value! Tonic herbs are gentle, basically to be treated as foods. Obviously you wouldn’t be consuming pounds and pounds of this stuff at once, but adding a few teaspoons into your cooking and baking over time can be fun and can powerfully replace your average synthetic (toxic) daily multivitamin.
You can take this medicinal mushroom cacao blend on its own, whisked with filtered water which is pretty sweet in itself, or go the extra mile like I did with this vanilla hazelnut mocha. Trust me, it’s worth it, and it tastes amaaazing. Like floating up into space.
I like to serve my tonics and other snacks with 51raw’s uncoated bamboo cutlery, here the spoon was used as a stirring and arbitrary measuring spoon! It’s nearly unheard of around here to find a manufacturer who actually does not coat their on-the-go reusable bamboo cutlery with toxic petroleum contaminated oils or plastic glazes, and for that, I thank 51raw. Natural bamboo in its raw state will help the food taste better, won’t transfer toxins into your body, and is easily washed and scrubbed with some Dr. Bronner’s all purpose soap (pack of 2 under the link, because it’s so essential) to be reused again and again. Typical metal utensils/cookware just aren’t the same, can leach heavy metals into the food, and can even deplete the food of its nutrients.
Gather these ingredients for this vanilla hazelnut medicinal mushroom mocha:
- 100% organic, dual extracted Mushroom Cacao Milk blend by Wild Bloom Botanicals
- Brewed, cooled coffee (I like to do a quick simple rustic electricity-free pour over using freshly ground organic dark roasted beans in my Japanese ceramic Porlex grinder, preferably decaf, using a stained old organic cotton reusable filter hand sewn from Merchants of Green and a cheap ceramic filter to reduce food contact with metals)
- Spring water
- Hazelnut butter – preferably activated, and local!
- Coconut butter – the dense, solid stuff, not the coconut oil floating near the top of the jar
- Coconut oil – extra virgin, cold pressed
- Sea salt – I like Mayan, Peruvian, Redmond or Celtic from the least contaminated sources
- Maple syrup – local, more or less to taste
- Extra vanilla bean
How the heck do I make this vanilla hazelnut medicinal mushroom mocha?
- Blend everything using a simple blender to roughly combine the solids and liquids
- Heat the liquid in a saucepan while stirring for a final melt and improved texture
- Serve in your fave mug with a sprinkle of extra cacao and dried rose petals (this recipe yields approx. 2-3 servings!)
- In warmer seasons, you can skip the heating and pour over ice for a cold brew!
- Store any extra mocha in the refrigerator for up to a week
Take a deeper dive:
Health benefits of properly sourced coffee
7 of chaga’s benefits on HuffPost
Chaga’s role in reducing cancer
9 benefits of chaga on Medical News Today
Dr. Axe on the benefits of chaga mushroom
6 of reishi mushroom’s benefits on Healthline
10 reishi mushroom benefits on Well + Good
9 benefits of lion’s mane mushroom on Healthline
5 immune-boosting benefits of turkey tail mushroom
FDA approves turkey tail immune therapy in cancer patients
Turkey tail benefits by Dr. Axe
6 benefits of cordyceps mushroom
Benefits of vanilla by Dr. Axe
#Science:
Chaga’s role in reducing cancer on KoreaMed
Chaga’s role in reducing cancer but not harming healthy cells
Betulinic acid for cancer treatment and prevention
Anticancer effects of chaga mushroom
Chaga and balancing cholesterol
Reishi’s history, benefits, constituents and therapeutic applications
Reishi increasing white blood cells, impacting immune function
Reishi decreasing tumors (also here)
Reishi use among breast cancer survivors
Reishi and blood sugar stabilization
Lion’s mane exerting BDNF-like neurotrophic activity in central hippocampal neurons
Lion’s mane’s anticancer properties
Neuroregenerative potential of lion’s mane mushroom
Lion’s mane protecting and restoring the brain and neurogenesis while aging
Lion’s mane regulating mood disorders, depression and anxiety
Lion’s mane reducing depression and anxiety in menopausal women
Culinary and medicinal mushrooms for nerve and brain health
Metabolic efficiency and aerobic performance with cordyceps mushroom
Cordyceps’ anti-fatigue qualities
Cordyceps acts as a bidirectional modulating agent regulating both innate and adaptive immunity (potentially great for autoimmunity)
Cordyceps reversing leukopenia
Cordyceps inhibiting COPD progression
Cordyceps’ role in reducing cancer here, here, here, here, here and here
Turkey tail as anticancer agent with immunotherapy
Turkey tail regulating blood sugar
Turkey tail enhancing efficacy of cancer treatments
Coconut in health promotion and disease prevention
***If pregnant or breastfeeding, taking pharmaceutical medications, or if you simply have specific requirements, please consult with your trusted healthcare provider before adding these herbs to your diet. Always read the label and follow directions for use, and never take something just because someone on the Internet said you should. Let nature be your guidance, and opt for organic, semi-wild, or wild foraged, dual extracted/bioavailable herbs from a provider you trust! These elements of nature replenish us because our bodies are in relationship to the whole cosmos. Communion with these elements grants us grace, resilience and vitality, through the language of earth and light with the wisdom and connectedness in every cell. Resonate with the coherence of the cosmos and the source of all things. Embody your own beauty when flourishing with radiant health, cultivating the garden that grows within you, attuning yourself with your inherent perfection and inherent worthiness. These plants can help you have more agency over your journey. Get real and tune in with yourself. Do you feel an intuitive pull towards certain plants more than others?
Click here for Wild Bloom Botanicals’ Mushroom Cacao Milk!
Enjoy medicinal mushrooms? You might also enjoy this recipe for the best ever no-bake medicinal mushroom chocolate cake.
Vanilla Hazelnut Medicinal Mushroom Mocha
Equipment
- Blender
- Small saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic coffee, brewed and cooled or wildcrafted chaga tea, cooled
- 2 cups spring water or restructured filtered water
- 2 tbsp Wild Bloom Botanicals Mushroom Cacao Milk
- 1 tbsp organic activated hazelnut butter
- 1-2 tbsp organic maple syrup to taste
- 1 tsp organic coconut butter
- 1 tsp organic vanilla bean
- 1 tsp organic virgin cold-pressed coconut oil optional
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- In a blender, add the coffee, water, Wild Bloom Botanicals Mushroom Cacao Milk, hazelnut butter, maple syrup, coconut butter, vanilla bean, coconut oil, and sea salt. Roughly blend to combine the solid and liquid ingredients.
- In a medium saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat, pour in the mixture. Stir to melt the ingredients for an improved texture, until warm and simmering.
- Transfer the contents into your favourite mug. Serve with a sprinkle of extra mushroom cacao powder and dried rose petals, if you like.
Notes
- Feel free to play around with the ratios to your preference or halve the measurements for a single serving. I often like to make the coffee taste stronger by using a 1.5 cup water to 1.5 cup coffee ratio, and lessening the amount of maple syrup I use in accordance with the amount of liquid.
- Use grass fed raw goat or cow’s A2 butter instead of coconut butter, if you like.
- In warmer seasons, you can skip the heating step and just pour the mixture over ice for a cold brew!
- Store any extra mocha in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Most blenders have the food in contact with a plastic component, even if the body is made of glass. For this reason I prefer to blend colder or room temperature foods only in order to reduce any chemical/phthalate/BPA transfer into the food, so I recommend blending first before heating on the stove.
- Find the Wild Bloom Botanicals Mushroom Cacao Milk here!
