I have been drinking RYZE mushroom coffee for over a year, but I recently spent the last month trying Fresh Cap Organic Ultimate Mushroom Coffee. Here’s my honest review of Fresh Cap, how it compares to RYZE and other mushroom coffees, and why you might want to consider giving it a try.

The super short review for those short on time– Fresh Cap tastes more like regular coffee and I felt it was on par with RYZE as far as the good mushroomy benefits. I am now a fan of both! I have only been trying Fresh Cap for a month (vs RYZE for a year+) so I will update this post again after some time and let you know which one I am still drinking.

You can find Fresh Cap on Amazon here: Organic Mushroom Coffee (affiliate ink)

Fresh Cap Organic Ultimate Mushroom Coffee

Fresh Cap is a company that specializes in premium functional mushroom supplements made from organically grown mushrooms.

Founded by mushroom enthusiasts who wanted to improve the quality and transparency of mushroom products, the brand focuses on using only the fruiting bodies of mushrooms rather than fillers or grain-heavy ingredients.

In addition to capsules and powders, Fresh Cap offers Organic Ultimate Mushroom Coffee, which blends organic instant coffee with concentrated mushroom extracts to provide a lower-caffeine beverage designed for people looking to incorporate functional mushrooms into their daily routine.

What Do They Have in Common?

Both Fresh Cap and RYZE are designed to provide a gentler coffee experience than a standard cup of coffee, while providing the benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms.

Each one:

• Uses organic ingredients
• Contains six functional mushrooms
• Has roughly half the caffeine of regular coffee
• Mixes instantly with hot water
• Is suitable for vegan diets

Making the Coffee

Both brands are easy to mix by just adding hot water. Fresh cap blends a bit easier and you can mix it mostly with a regular spoon.

I recommend using a small electric hand mixer with RYZE, as it can be a little chunky otherwise. My favorite one to use is actually one they sent me with one of my orders. I also have a standard frothier mixer, and it’s a little too powerful.

Regardless of mixing method, both brands end with a bit of sludge at the bottom. I usually just add a little more hot water and make sure I get every last drop of mushroom goodness.

Tip for Fresh Cap – Make sure you use the little measuring spoon provided! You’ll find it inside the bag. I totally missed it on my first try and added just added “two scoops” like the instructions say, but my scoops were with a different spoon, and it was way too strong. Using their measuring spoon gives you just the right amount.

Comparing the Mushroom Blends

Both brands include several well-known functional mushrooms, including:

• Lion’s Mane
• Cordyceps
• Reishi
• Turkey Tail

The remaining mushrooms differ slightly.

Fresh Cap includes:

• Chaga
• Maitake

RYZE includes:

• Shiitake
• King Trumpet

Although many of these mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, research into their benefits is still ongoing.

Most studies suggest they may support overall wellness, but more large-scale human studies are needed to fully understand their effects.

Are there Different Benefits to the Mushrooms?

Fresh Cap includes chaga and maitake, two mushrooms commonly featured in functional mushroom supplements because of their antioxidant and immune-support properties.

RYZE instead uses shiitake and king trumpet mushrooms, which also contain beneficial compounds like beta-glucans and antioxidants.

While each brand takes a slightly different approach, there isn’t enough clinical evidence to conclude that one combination is more effective than the other.

Fruiting Body vs. Mycelium

If you’ve researched mushroom supplements, you’ve probably seen the terms fruiting body and mycelium.

The fruiting body is the part of the mushroom most people recognize—the portion that grows above the ground. Mycelium is the underground network that allows the fungus to grow.

Fresh Cap focuses exclusively on fruiting body extracts, while RYZE uses a blend that includes organically grown mushrooms. Some consumers specifically seek out fruiting body products because they prefer their nutritional profile, although opinions differ within the supplement industry.

Caffeine Content

Both Fresh Cap Organic Ultimate Mushroom Coffee and RYZE Mushroom Coffee contain significantly less caffeine than a traditional cup of coffee, making them popular choices for those looking to reduce their caffeine intake.

Fresh Cap contains about 50 mg of caffeine per serving, while RYZE contains about 48 mg. In comparison, a typical 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains around 95–120 mg of caffeine, although some specialty coffees can contain even more.

Because they provide roughly half the caffeine of regular coffee, both products aim to deliver a steadier energy boost with less chance of the jitters or afternoon crash that some people experience after drinking full-strength coffee.

I was actually surprised how close the caffeine content was in both of them, because I felt like Fresh Cap had more of a caffeine kick. Maybe those 2 mg make a difference!

What Does Fresh Cap Taste Like?

Taste is one of the biggest deciding factors when choosing a mushroom coffee. It is also one of the hardest things to get used to.

In my review for RYZE, I honestly mention how the initial taste and smell turned me off. However, I liked the overall effects so much (less caffeine and a good brain boost) I kept drinking it and got used to it. I honestly don’t even notice it anymore and think it tastes good now.

I also reviewed Everyday Dose, and while I initially liked the flavor better, I didn’t feel it didn’t have much of an effect.

Fresh Cap ended up being the perfect blend that tastes and smells more like regular coffee, while still delivering the focus boost I feel I get from the mushroom blend.

I was visiting my mom, and she thought my coffee smelled good, so she tried some and ended up ordering herself a bag of it!

RYZE has a creamier texture thanks to the addition of MCT oil and prebiotic fiber. The overall coffee flavor is milder, allowing the mushroom ingredients to become a lot more noticeable.

While neither tastes like a cup of freshly brewed regular coffee, Fresh Cap comes the closest. The taste reminds me of the Starbucks VIA instant coffee I sometimes used for traveling before I switched over to the mushroom coffees.

It also looks more like a regular instant coffee. You can see what both coffees look like below, with Fresh Cap on the left, and RYZE on the right.

Gut Health Support

One of the biggest differences between Fresh Cap and RYZE is their approach to gut health. Fresh Cap keeps its formula simple, focusing primarily on organic coffee and concentrated mushroom extracts without adding extra ingredients. This minimalist approach may appeal to people who prefer a cleaner ingredient list or want the mushrooms to be the primary focus.

RYZE, on the other hand, is formulated as more of an all-in-one wellness beverage. In addition to coffee and functional mushrooms, it contains MCT oil and prebiotic fiber, ingredients commonly included to support digestive health while also giving the drink a creamier texture.

If you’re looking for a mushroom coffee with added nutritional benefits beyond the mushrooms themselves, RYZE may be the better fit. If you prefer a simpler formula with fewer added ingredients, Fresh Cap has the advantage.

As a personal insight, I’ve been drinking RYZE for over a year now and haven’t really noticed any benefit from the MCT oil and prebiotic fiber in the belly area. It hasn’t helped me be less bloated or lose weight.

But if things shift dramatically while I am taking a RYZE break and testing out a different coffee, I will know it was actually doing something and will come back to update the post!

Pricing

Fresh Cap has a great intro bag with 15 servings for under $10: click here. This is a good way to give it a try without investing too much. A full-size bag is currently $34.99. Click here for full size

This is around the same size as an intro bag from the RYZE website, but subsequent RYZE orders are around $40 and you got hooked into a membership. If you want to get it on Amazon, it’s a whopping $65. I do have a discount for trying RYZE: Click here to try RYZE and save 15% with code CANDYKEANE15

Overall, Fresh Cap clearly wins out in the pricing area, with a reasonable upfront price and no annoying auto membership.

I have also tried an even cheaper mushroom coffee called VitaCup Focus, but I did not feel it had any sort of focus/brain boosting effects like other mushroom coffees.

Fresh Cap vs. RYZE: Which is Better?

The question of which is the better mushroom coffee honestly comes down to personal preference. I like and would recommend both.

Fresh cap tastes and smells more like regular coffee and is a good intro into the world of adaptogenic mushroom products. It’s also priced affordably and doesn’t require a subscription.

RYZE has some extra “good for you” ingredients and a creamier, earthy flavor that is appealing to some. It is pricey to buy single bags but has good pricing by subscription and each month includes bonuses (like the free mixer I mentioned earlier.)

Whichever you choose, I totally recommend giving mushroom coffee a try!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Fresh Cap taste like regular coffee?

Of the mushroom coffees I’ve tried, Fresh Cap comes the closest to tasting like regular instant coffee. It has a familiar coffee aroma with much less of the earthy mushroom flavor.

Which mushroom coffee has more caffeine?

The caffeine content is nearly identical. Fresh Cap contains about 50 mg of caffeine per serving, while RYZE contains about 48 mg. Both have roughly half the caffeine of a typical cup of brewed coffee.

What mushrooms are in Fresh Cap?

Fresh Cap Organic Ultimate Mushroom Coffee contains six functional mushrooms:

• Lion’s Mane
• Cordyceps
• Reishi
• Turkey Tail
• Chaga
• Maitake

What mushrooms are in RYZE?

RYZE Mushroom Coffee also contains six functional mushrooms:

• Lion’s Mane
• Cordyceps
• Reishi
• Turkey Tail
• Shiitake
• King Trumpet

Is Fresh Cap made with fruiting body mushrooms?

Yes. Fresh Cap uses extracts made from the fruiting bodies of the mushrooms rather than mycelium. Many mushroom enthusiasts prefer fruiting body extracts, although research is still ongoing regarding the differences.

Does mushroom coffee still contain caffeine?

Yes. Mushroom coffee is not caffeine-free. Both Fresh Cap and RYZE combine coffee with mushroom extracts, resulting in about half the caffeine of a regular cup of coffee.

Does mushroom coffee help with focus?

Many people, including myself, drink mushroom coffee because they feel it provides steadier energy and improved focus without the jitters of regular coffee. However, scientific research is still developing, and individual results can vary.

Which mushroom coffee is better for gut health?

RYZE includes prebiotic fiber and MCT oil, which are ingredients commonly used to support digestive health. Fresh Cap keeps its ingredient list simpler by focusing primarily on coffee and mushroom extracts.

Is Fresh Cap cheaper than RYZE?

Yes. At the time of writing, Fresh Cap offers a 15-serving starter bag for under $10, and a full-size bag costs around $28. RYZE typically costs around $40 through its subscription program, while buying a single bag on Amazon can be significantly more expensive.

Do you have to subscribe to buy Fresh Cap?

No. One advantage of Fresh Cap is that you can purchase it without enrolling in a subscription. RYZE encourages customers to subscribe for its best pricing.

Is mushroom coffee worth trying?

If you’re looking to cut back on caffeine while still enjoying coffee, I think it’s worth trying. After testing several brands, Fresh Cap and RYZE have been the two that impressed me the most for taste, energy, and overall experience.