Media Kit

About Madre Mushroom

Madre Mushroom is a Chicago-based functional mushroom brand whose goal is to introduce functional mushrooms into the modern morning (or evening) ritual. Our delicious, instant adaptogenic mushroom latte mixes and specialty coffee blends are intended to create a simple, sustainable daily wellness practice with long-term health benefits. 

Our brand is rooted in taste, simplicity, and access. Our instant lattes are just that: Ready in an instant, no modifying required. Just add hot water, whisk, and sip. 

In each of our blends we combine functional mushroom powder with other flavorful functional ingredients like tea, coffee, and spices. We source our mushrooms from a leading, Certified Organic facility in California that converts both the mycelial biomass and fruiting body of the mushroom into dehydrated powder form—delivering the fungi’s full spectrum of bioactive compounds. 

Madre Mushroom’s instant adaptogenic mushroom lattes are currently sold online, at Chicago farmers markets and select, local specialty shops in 5 oz bags (a 10-day supply); and 14 oz bags (a 28-day supply.) Motherbrew, our ground coffee + functional blend, is sold in 12 oz bags. All packaging is 100% home compostable. You can find Madre Mushroom (née Midwest Mycelium) featured in Bloomberg.

For more information, visit www.MadreMushroom.com and follow along on social media at @madremushroom.

Our Mission

Madre Mushroom is a Latina-founded and woman-led functional mushroom beverage company with the goal of making functional mushrooms the new standard of wellness support. 

At Madre Mushroom, we are guided by a deep respect for the medicinal and ecological intelligence of mushrooms. Across traditional and scientific contexts, mushrooms have long been recognized for their ability to support healing, enhance resilience, and foster connection—within both the human body and the natural world. In ecosystems, fungi play essential roles: transporting nutrients through mycorrhizal networks, signaling environmental threats, and breaking down organic matter to regenerate life. Our mission draws inspiration from these remarkable functions, reflecting the mushroom’s inherent wisdom in nurturance, protection, and continuous growth.

Our Mushrooms

Functional mushrooms have long been included in traditional medicinal systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda. Used for centuries to promote optimal health and well-being, these fungi are packed with bioactive compounds such as triterpenes, which may help to reduce inflammation and support stress resilience, and beta-glucans, known for stimulating the immune system and offering antioxidant protection. Each of our products contains a full daily dose (1.5 g) of functional mushrooms per serving.

Our proprietary blend of six functional mushrooms is designed to support the immune system, boost cognitive function, manage stress, and promote overall well-being. This blend is the powerhouse at the core of each of our beverage offerings.

Because ingredient quality is a top priority, we source our functional mushroom powders from a leading producer based in Vista, California. Certified Organic, their award-winning products are crafted with rigorous quality control, including DNA testing and processing methods that ensure optimal bioactivity and traceability throughout the entire production process.

Our Social Enterprise: Myco-Initiative

Currently in its early planning and development phase, Myco-Initiative is a non-profit organization focused on supporting marginalized neighborhoods in Chicago through cooperative mushroom farming. The project grew out of a shared belief in the restorative power of mushrooms—not only for personal health but as a tool for strengthening community resilience and prosperity.

Rooted in our broader commitment to social responsibility, Myco-Initiative extends the mission of Madre Mushroom beyond commerce. We see the two as complementary forces, each uniquely dedicated to the transformative possibilities of mushrooms and contributing to one another’s growth.

About Maria Mulcahy, MSOM, L.Ac – Founder & President of Madre Mushroom

Maria Mulcahy is the Founder and President (and the original “madre mushroom”) of Madre Mushroom. Maria is a practicing licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist with over 20 years of experience. As a proud Chicago Latina, Maria was raised in a bicultural and bilingual environment and carries forward her family legacy of activism within the Chicago Latino community, where she owns a private acupuncture clinic. In addition to having built a thriving private practice, Maria was the founding director of Whole Women, Whole Health, an integrative program at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center in Chicago that provided acupuncture, oncology massage, and other holistic services to breast cancer survivors for over 12 years. 

The Madre Mushroom story began when Maria first started prescribing functional mushrooms to her patients as a potent daily medicine: Reishi for boosting immunity, lion’s mane for calming the nervous system, turkey tail for gut health & cancer prevention – and the list goes on. Struck by how their benefits compounded over time, she decided to try incorporating them into something everyone could enjoy daily – our simple morning or evening rituals – and Madre Mushroom (neé Midwest Mycelium) was born. What started as a stall at the farmer’s market has since expanded into an e-commerce DTC business with the goal of spreading the wisdom of the mushroom beyond the Chicagoland area. 

Whether she is practicing acupuncture and herbalism, or developing new products for Madre Mushroom, Maria’s mission is rooted in creating greater access to the healing benefits of fungi so that all communities can thrive.

What Our Customers Are Saying

“Seriously don't buy this matcha unless you are okay with becoming addicted to it! It is so delicious and easy to make. I am in love with it!ˮ

Julie S.

“I have tried several different mushroom beverages and this is (by far) my favorite! My first experience with [Madre Mushroom] was during a family visit to Chicago, where I was able to try [Cocoa Chai] at a farmersʼ market. Iʼve been drinking [Cocoa Chai] as part of my morning routine for months now! I highly recommend [it].ˮ

Adam L.

“Who knew coffee could be even better? My whole body loves it!ˮ

Melissa S. 

Product Lineup

Cocoa Chai – Adaptogenic Mushroom Latte

Earthy and supportive. The ground beneath you. In our flagship mushroom latte blend, fragrant bergamot-scented black tea, cocoa powder, and masala chai spices mingle with our custom blend of six functional mushrooms. With this blend, whole tea leaves are ingested, not brewed, giving this instant latte an additional boost of antioxidants. Cocoa Chai features a full daily dose of functional mushroom in every serving. The mushroomsʼ stress-modulating adaptogens balance the stimulating effects of caffeine. Earthy and spiced, this flavor has a subtle citrus lift.

Tea-free Cocoa Chai – Adaptogenic Mushroom Latte

The tea is gone, but the masala remains. Our offering for those who are caffeine-sensitive. “Chai" means "tea" in Hindi, coming originally from the Chinese word for tea, "chá." It can refer to both the plant grown for its tannic benefits and the beverage steeped with milk, sugar, and lots of spices. This is our nod to the less-common herbal chai variations that omit the tea leaves altogether. Weʼve bumped up the cacao in our original Cocoa Chai and added more spice. Tea-free Cocoa Chai features a full daily dose of functional mushroom in every serving. Slightly less complex in flavor but all the more rich. This blend has notes of chocolate, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper.

Honey Rose Matcha – Adaptogenic Mushroom Latte

Heart-opening and deal-closing. This grassy, energizing mushroom latte blend embodies the practices of Zen Buddhism. Made with ceremonial-grade matcha, a tea preparation from Japan. Leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant are steamed until vibrant green, then dehydrated and pulverized. We blend with the petals and essential oil of our ladylove, Rose, the queen of self-love and personal boundaries for a brew thatʼs assertive, yet graceful. Rosa has been traditionally used as an herbal medicine for ailments such as stomach aches, diarrhea, and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Mushroom Spice – Adaptogenic Mushroom Latte

Not just for sweater weather. Our first-ever limited-edition, seasonal mushroom latte takes its flavor inspiration from the pumpkin spice latte. Expect a heavier dose of baking spice (think cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves) than what youʼd find in our Cocoa Chai. We use organic oat milk powder and MCT oil for a creamier, cozier cup. Warm on the nose and on the palate, this caffeine-free blend makes for the perfect ode to fall either all by itself or as a spicy improvement to your usual creamer in coffee or tea.

Golden Milk – Adaptogenic Mushroom Latte

Turmeric-dappled and lightly spiced. A mushroom latte inspired by the traditional Ayurvedic beverage haldi doodh. Ayurveda is an Indian philosophy that believes in using food as medicine. Haldi doodh has been sipped for thousands of years as a homeopathic remedy. Itʼs beneficial when youʼre feeling sick and sluggish, or during the winter months when the immune system is particularly stressed out. Golden Milk is a five-spice blend featuring turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties, as well ashwagandha for its additional adaptogenic properties, coconut milk for creaminess, and MCT oil for energy. Functional mushrooms provide daily wellness support. This is a caffeine-free mushroom latte, making her a good partner in getting into that bedtime state of mind.

Motherbrew – Coffee + Functional Mushroom Blend

Motherbrew is real, premium coffee infused with functional mushrooms. We donʼt believe you have to choose between functional mushrooms and coffee – so we combined these two functional foods to the betterment of both. Youʼll get the benefits of functional mushrooms – like sustained energy and calm focus – even when brewed. Adaptogens reduce the negative effects of caffeine, like jitters and crashing, while increasing attention and mental work capacity.

For this blend, weʼve partnered up with Two Hearted Queen micro-roastery in Chicagoʼs Lakeview neighborhood. This coffee blend is crafted with the coffee connoisseur in mind: Our select beans are ethically sourced from women-owned farms and cooperatives supporting female producers, then lovingly air-roasted to medium, nutty perfection.