(qlmbusinessnews.com . Mon 24th Nov, 2025) London, UK —
Sipp's Innovation: Combining Traditional Coffee with Lion's Mane for a Clearer Focus
For the past three years, Zak Haddad has been initiating his mornings with an unconventional brew: coffee mixed with lion's mane mushroom. According to Haddad, this concoction offers him a “really clear, focused feeling,” avoiding the typical “spike and crash” associated with potent coffee.
This type of beverage falls under the banner of “functional coffees” – blends designed to extend benefits to the consumer beyond the standard caffeine kick. For a considerable time, these innovative drinks have adorned the shelves of health food outlets. However, their presence is increasingly noticeable in mainstream coffee shops.
In late 2023, when Zak launched his coffee establishment, Sipp, situated in Chorlton, Greater Manchester, he was keen to feature mushroom-infused coffees prominently. At Sipp, customers can select from four diverse mushroom powders, each heralded for unique advantages. For an additional fee of £1, patrons have the option to enhance their beverage with either a mushroom powder or a collagen supplement, adapting everything from lattes to cappuccinos according to their preference.
Nutritionist Eli Brecher highlights that mushroom-based coffees, incorporating varieties like lion's mane, reishi, and chaga, are reputed to hone focus without inducing the jitteriness often associated with regular coffee, although she notes continuing research in the area. The past year has seen a surge in popularity for these blends, prompting health food retailer Holland and Barrett to nearly double its range of mushroom coffees, the company revealed to the Reporters.
Even mainstream brands are tapping into the trend, with Marks & Spencer introducing lion's mane lattes in its café menus, sitting alongside more traditional offerings. Meanwhile, Starbucks in the US has ventured into the realm of barista-crafted protein coffee since September, featuring high-protein milk and cold foam. Starbucks' pre-made protein coffee can also be found in UK stores and supermarkets, alongside similar products by brands like Jimmy's and Emmi.
Tastewise, a food research firm, identifies functional coffee as a leading trend for 2026, recording a 30% increase in mushroom coffee offerings on UK café menus over the past year. According to Brecher, who is also a consumer of mushroom coffee, there is a growing interest in wellbeing and maintaining a stable energy level, with functional coffees representing an “easy upgrade” rather than a drastic dietary change.
Coffee chain Black Sheep has long offered options like protein powder and CBD add-ons. This year, it introduced a “functional health” latte line, with options designed to support gut health and skin condition. The lion's mane latte, in particular, has exceeded expectations in customer popularity, shared Ben Fenton, the chain's chief operating officer.
Despite the burgeoning interest, the option to enhance beverages with functional ingredients isn't universally appealing. At London's Liverpool Street Station, responses were mixed, with many unfamiliar with the concept. Nevertheless, individuals like Mariam Begum, a self-professed caffeine enthusiast from London, and Lauren Devlin, a former competitive powerlifter, express keen interest in functional coffees for their perceived health benefits, despite the extra cost.
While “functional coffee” tastes remarkably similar to its traditional counterpart, the broader understanding of its benefits and purpose remains a developing field. Nutritional experts suggest that while the emerging research is promising, the health advantages of such blends, particularly in their common dosages, are not yet convincingly proven.
As this niche market continues to evolve, the emphasis remains on viewing functional coffees as supplementary enhancements rather than cure-alls, a sentiment echoed by both enthusiasts and sceptics alike.
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