Mud Water Recipe: Why Should You Try It?

Most people are familiar with ashwagandha, ginseng, maca root and rhodiola and the way these adaptogens support healthy energy and other aspects of health. But a drink is making waves in the adaptogenic market, namely mud water, a mushroom-based coffee alternative.

The official MUD WTR brand original blend is made with masala chai, cacao and mushrooms. But if you want to try making your own mud at home to add to hot water, we've got a great recipe that delivers the health benefits of its adaptogenic ingredients in an easy-to-use form. It is great for people looking for energy and immune system support.

What is mud water?

Mud water is a healthy coffee alternative that can be made with low caffeine or even caffeine-free. It is made from a blend of immune-supporting mushrooms like reishi, chaga and cordyceps and other ingredients, such as cacao and turmeric, that are mixed together as a powder. The mud mix is then added to hot water, tea or milk to make a warm drink.

While mud water is somewhat new to the Western wellness market, it has been used for centuries in countries such as Vietnam and China.

Benefits of drinking mud water

This water is designed to be consumed as a daily ritual that can help support overall health and wellness, as well as support sustained energy throughout the day. But let's take a deeper dive into some specific benefits:

• Immune system support

  : The mushrooms at the heart of every mud mix are immune health rock stars. The beta glucans and other nutrients in mushrooms help maintain a balanced immune response and encourage immune function.

• Heart health support

  : Other ingredients, including cacao—the raw material used to make chocolate—are valued for their support of already-healthy blood pressure and cardiovascular health.

• Antioxidant protection

  : Many mud water ingredients, including turmeric, are rich in antioxidants that help protect cells from free radicals and may support overall health and wellness.

• Healthy inflammatory response

  : Both turmeric and cinnamon help to support already healthy blood-sugar levels and promote a healthy inflammatory response, which contributes to longevity and wellness.

• Improved focus and mental clarity

  : The cacao in mud water also benefits the brain by supporting executive function and memory.

• Low caffeine content

  : As a coffee alternative, this recipe contains significantly less caffeine than traditional coffee, which may be beneficial for people who are sensitive to caffeine or looking to reduce their caffeine intake.

What mushrooms are in mud water?

If you buy your mud water instead of making it yourself, the brand MUD WTR uses a blend of lion's mane, cordyceps, chaga and reishi mushrooms to make its original chai MUD WTR. However, you can buy mushroom extract powders with a variety of mushroom types, including chaga, maitake, lion's mane, shiitake, cordyceps and reishi.

Another option, is to make your own mushroom powders by placing dried mushrooms in a blender or food processor. Using this process, you can tailor your water recipe to get the health benefits that make it such a great coffee alternative!

Can I mix mud water with other drinks?

Although mud mix is usually added to hot water, you can substitute a variety of liquids to achieve the taste you desire, such as tea, coconut milk (or coconut water), oat milk or vanilla-flavored almond milk. Adding sweetener or spices like clove and cardamom can also add flavor. The beauty of a DIY recipe is being able to tailor your water recipe to your taste. Have fun with it and enjoy!

How to make mud

It's easy to make a mud that resembles the MUD WTR original recipe. The biggest benefit of a DIY recipe is the cost savings, as well as the ability to make a bulk recipe with 30-40 servings. Making your own also gives you the ability to add more cacao for a more intense chocolate taste, collagen or protein powder, or whatever seasonings you prefer.

For the mushroom powder, you can buy a mushroom extract blend or make your own by pulverizing dried mushrooms in a blender or food processor.

Bulk mix ingredients

• 1-2 cups cacao powder
• ½ oz. chai tea powder (choose a brand that does not require steeping)
• 1/8 cup mushroom powder
• ¼ cup Ceylon cinnamon powder (not cassia cinnamon, which is spicier)
• ¼ cup turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp Himalayan Sea salt (optional)

Preparation

Add your ingredients to a large bowl and mix well with a dry whisk. Once the mud is mixed, store it in an airtight container. This recipe makes 30-40 servings.

Single-cup ingredients

• 1 ½ tsp cacao powder
• ¼ tsp chai tea powder
• ¼ tsp mushroom powder
• ½ tsp Ceylon cinnamon powder
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 dash Himalayan Sea salt

How to prepare mud water

Preparing a single serving of this water does not take a lot of time at all if you have your mud already mixed (or use the single-cup recipe above). A tablespoon of mix is all you need for a one-serving cup of water, or mix a tablespoon per serving in a teapot or French press for multiple servings.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon mud mix
• 1 cup boiling water or milk
• Salt to taste (optional)
• Coconut milk creamer (optional)

Preparation

1. In a mug or teapot, mix 1 tablespoon mud mix with water or hot liquid of your choice.
2. Add salt to taste (if salt is not included in the mud mix) and creamer, if preferred.
3. Whisk well with electric whisk or frother. You can use a blender to make your drink more creamy, but use care as your liquid is hot.
4. Enjoy!

How else can I support my immune system?

Your body's first line of defense is a strong immune system, so immune support is important, especially as you age. Drinking immune-supporting nutrients, such as vitamin C, zinc, elderberry and beta glucans, helps to encourage a healthy immune response. Certain lifestyle choices, such as daily exercise, restful sleep and well-managed stress, also help to keep your immune system in top shape.

What supplements can I take to support immune health?

The immune health benefits of mushrooms have been touted for centuries. But if you'd rather drink coffee than mud water, you can still get your daily dose of mushrooms in supplement form. Reishi mushrooms in particular, as well as shiitake, chaga and maitake mushrooms, are highly recognized for their immune-strengthening benefits.

Beta glucans, the soluble dietary fibers found in yeast, grains and mushrooms, are also powerful health boosters. They help activate your immune system's primary defenders and help your immune system to react faster when faced with immune challenges.

References

• "Health Benefits of Cacao Powder." WebMD Editorial Contributors. August 2020. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-cacao-powder