Mushroom coffee alternatives have been something of a trend for the last few years and whilst the idea is in itself not a terrible one, the execution is generally not very good. And to be perfectly honest an awful lot of it actually comes down to a placebo effect. Now, that doesn’t have to be the case, cordyceps for example does have energy boosting properties, but only in doses that are actually much higher than either Mud WTR or Joey.
This is generally why I don’t typically recommend either of these, even if once upon a time I was quite a fan of Mud WTR. That’s not to say that either of these are completely useless, just that newer brands have actually made better coffee alternatives in the last few years.
Nootrum, we’re talking about Nootrum (again I know), but since they upgraded their formula, they’re a league ahead of both of these guys, standardizing to make sure there’s a full dose of the specific cordyceps, lion’s mane extracts and so on, so you actually get the full kick. And there’s a huge difference. That all said, you’re not here to listen to me gush about my favorite brand of Mushroom Coffee, so time to crack on with the Joey vs Mud WTR breakdown.
Mud WTR
Mud WTR, often referred to as "Mud Water," is the most popular coffee alternative on the market right now, and if I was talking about their matcha, I’d be a lot more positive, but we’re going over the classic version, so unfortunately Mud WTR is a let down. Designed as a coffee alternative designed to deliver sustained energy, focus, and wellness benefits without the jitters and crashes associated with caffeine. The formula is based on functional mushrooms, adaptogens, and spices to provide a balanced energy boost, but the spices are laughably underdosed for their benefits, so really we’re looking at what amounts to an immune booster with a bit of cinnamon, which has some benefits for diabetics, but not really anyone else. (That’s a whole thing to get into, but it helps with blood sugar regulation, but the studies show it doesn’t do anything for healthy individuals). And as for the Turmeric, you’d need more than 10 times what’s in Mud WTR for it’s benefits.
- Primary Purpose: Coffee replacement with added wellness benefits.
- Key Ingredients: Functional mushrooms (such as Chaga, Reishi, Lion's Mane), turmeric, cacao, cinnamon.
- Caffeine Content: Low caffeine, roughly 1/7 the amount of a standard cup of coffee.
- Flavor Profile: Earthy, slightly spicy, with chocolatey undertones due to cacao. (But, in all honesty it’s not great, after a long time I got used to it, but I genuinely couldn’t recommend it).
- Target Audience: People looking to reduce their caffeine intake or who want a natural boost for focus and energy.
Joey
Joey is another well known entrant in the functional beverage space, emphasizing mental clarity, immunity, and energy. It suffers from the same dosing issues as Mud WTR, for some reason tries to brand themselves as the original coffee alternative, although I’m pretty sure several others were doing it first. It does taste a bit better though.
- Primary Purpose: Daily wellness supplement for energy, focus, and immunity.
- Key Ingredients: Ashwagandha, cordyceps, L-theanine, green tea extract, and a mix of superfoods.
- Caffeine Content: Contains natural caffeine from green tea extract for a mild energy boost.
- Flavor Profile: Mildly earthy with hints of green tea and adaptogens, also still not great, but a bit more of a tea flavor than dirt.
- Target Audience: Those seeking a convenient supplement for balanced energy and mental clarity without committing to a coffee replacement.
Ingredient Comparison
|
Ingredient |
Mud WTR |
Joey |
|
Functional Mushrooms |
Chaga, Reishi, Lion's Mane, Cordyceps – known for immune support, focus, and adaptogenic benefits |
Cordyceps – supports energy and athletic performance |
|
Adaptogens |
Ashwagandha – reduces stress and promotes mental clarity |
Ashwagandha, L-theanine – both support stress management and focus |
|
Natural Caffeine |
Small amount from cacao, roughly 1/7 of coffee |
Green tea extract – provides mild caffeine for sustained energy |
|
Anti-inflammatory Ingredients |
Turmeric – reduces inflammation and provides antioxidant benefits |
Superfood blend (with ingredients like spinach and blueberries) – provides antioxidants and vitamins |
|
Focus & Mental Clarity |
Lion’s Mane, cinnamon – enhances cognitive function |
L-theanine, green tea extract – promotes mental clarity and reduces caffeine jitters |
|
Flavor Enhancers |
Cacao, cinnamon – provides a mucky, earthy, slightly spicy flavor |
No added flavors; mildly earthy taste from adaptogens and superfoods |
Both Mud WTR and Joey incorporate adaptogens and functional mushrooms, but Mud WTR’s ingredient profile is more robust with functional mushrooms, while Joey leans more green tea. Although, most of Mud/WTR’s extra ingredients are underdosed.
Benefits
Mud WTR Benefits
- Sustained Energy: The low caffeine content from cacao provides a gentle energy lift without the crash associated with coffee. The cordyceps is a little underdosed to get the energy boost from cordyceps though.
- Enhanced Focus: Lion’s Mane and other mushrooms are included for their potential to improve cognitive function and mental clarity.
- Stress Management: Ashwagandha in Mud WTR helps combat stress, this is one of the better ingredients.
- Anti Inflammatory: Unfortunately, these claims are overblown, the turmeric is meant to be the ingredient that delivers this, but the dose is far too low. You need 500mg of curcumin, and that only makes up about 8% of turmeric, meaning you’d need way more than you get with Mud/WTR
Joey Benefits
- Energy and Immunity Support: The green tea extract provides caffeine, less than coffee of course, but if you’re looking to cut it out completely, it’s not going to be great. Cordyceps is also underdosed in terms of cordycepin to get the benefits for energy, but it could have some immune benefits.
- Mental Clarity: L-theanine works in tandem with green tea to promote focus and prevent the jitters typically associated with caffeine, this one’s actually a pretty good ingredient.
- Adaptogenic Support: Ashwagandha helps manage stress levels, making Joey a good choice for daily resilience against stress.
- Nutrient-Rich: The blend of superfoods in Joey is actually pretty good for vitamins and minerals, which can contribute to overall health and vitality.
Taste and Usability
- Mud WTR claims it has an earthy, slightly spicy flavor with chocolatey notes from cacao. Unfortunately there isn’t enough cacao to cover over the unpleasant taste, the cinnamon is a bit too much, and the turmeric manages to also make it more unpleasant despite not having enough of it in to do anything. While it is intended to be consumed as a coffee replacement, the taste can take some time to get used to, and the thing is, it really doesn’t need to taste this bad. There is an old marketing tactic, it’s actually why Red Bull tastes so chemically when it doesn’t have to, people think it works better when it tastes bad.
- Joey has a milder, less intense taste compared to Mud WTR, and it’s much better. It’s designed to be mixed with water or smoothies, making it versatile for users who prefer a more neutral taste.
MudWtr vs Joey Price Comparison
Both products are expensive and this is true even of their better offers:
- Mud WTR: Priced around $50 for a 30-serving container, which comes out to approximately $1.70 per serving.
- Joey: Generally priced around $50–$60 for a 30-serving container, which is roughly $1.70–$2 per serving.
While Joey is slightly more expensive per serving on average this is pretty standard for the coffee replacement space, but, it’s worth noting that Nootrum, which is far better in taste and dosing comes in at the same price.
Pros and Cons
|
Mud WTR |
Joey |
|
Pros |
Pros |
|
- Comprehensive blend of mushrooms and adaptogens |
- Balanced energy boost without a heavy reliance on caffeine |
|
- Low caffeine, making it ideal for reducing caffeine dependence |
- Includes green tea extract and L-theanine for mental clarity |
|
- Suitable for daily use as a coffee alternative |
- Rich in superfoods, providing added vitamins and minerals |
|
- Offers additional anti-inflammatory benefits from turmeric |
- Easier to mix with water or in smoothies, without strong flavors |
|
Cons |
Cons |
|
- Earthy flavor may require time to adjust to |
- Does not fully replace coffee, so might not satisfy those looking for a coffee alternative |
|
- More steps involved to prepare as a coffee substitute |
- Higher price point per serving |
|
- Not ideal for those who want a stronger caffeine kick |
- Limited functional mushrooms compared to Mud WTR |
Who Should Choose Mud WTR?
Mud WTR is ideal for individuals looking to reduce their caffeine intake or move away from coffee entirely. Even my top pick Nootrum Powder does come with some matcha in there, so this would be the better choice.
Its low caffeine content and unique blend of functional mushrooms make it a strong choice for those interested in a healthy alternative to coffee. It’s good for immune boosting, so there’s that element.
Who Should Choose Joey?
Joey is a versatile option for those who want a daily wellness boost without replacing coffee entirely. With green tea extract, L-theanine, and a superfood blend, it offers a balanced energy lift and mental clarity without the strong flavor profile of Mud WTR. Joey is also a good choice for those who prioritize convenience, but there is quite literally no reason to buy it over Nootrum.
Conclusion
Mud WTR and Joey are both OK, but they cater to slightly different needs. Mud WTR is an excellent coffee alternative for those looking to cut down on caffeine while still boosting focus and wellness. On the other hand, Joey provides a convenient daily supplement with a milder flavor profile, delivering a balance of energy and immunity support without a strong coffee replacement angle.
Either way, there’s better options, but if you really want to go with one of these, it’s really a question of if you want to cut out caffeine completely or not.