Media Kit
About Madre Mushroom
Madre Mushroom is a Chicago-based functional mushroom brand whose goal is to introduce functional mushrooms into the modern American 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 an organic grower in California who uses both the mycelial biomass and fruiting body of the mushroom in dehydrated powder form, which delivers the fungiʼs full spectrum of bioactive compounds.
Madre Mushroom instant adaptogenic mushroom lattes are currently sold online 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. 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 female-led functional mushroom beverage company with the goal of making functional mushrooms (the fruiting bodies, mycelium, or other tissues of fungi used for medicinal purposes) the new standard of wellness support.
At Madre Mushroom, we believe in the medicinal and spiritual power of mushrooms – that they want to heal, to teach, and to strengthen our bonds to each other and to the planet. In the wild, mushrooms take the necessary steps to ensure existence on our planet thrives. They transport nutrients, warn other species of predators, and convert decay into new life. Our mission is inspired by the mighty mushroomʼs wisdom of the importance of nurturance, protection, and growth.
Our Mushrooms
Functional mushrooms are an ancient, enduring and natural technology supported by traditional medicinal practices, like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic Medicine. Functional mushrooms have been used for centuries to create a state of optimal health and well-being. All of our products contain a full daily dose (1.5 g) of functional mushrooms in each serving.
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 sustainable practices, ensuring optimal bioactivity and traceability throughout the entire production process.
We've created a proprietary blend of six whole food mushroom powders designed to support health, sports performance, recovery, and cognition. This blend is the powerhouse at the core of each of our beverage offerings, encouraging nearly every system of the human body to work globally for optimal health and increased resiliency.
Our Non-Profit: Myco-Initiative
Myco-Initiative is a groundbreaking non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting
marginalized Chicago neighborhoods through cooperative mushroom farming. The genesis of Myco-Initiative arises from a deep-seated belief in the healing potential of mushrooms and their ability to create bonds within communities.
As a company committed to social responsibility, Myco-Initiative reflects our values beyond commerce. We view Myco-Initiative and Madre Mushroom as synergistic: Both brands are dedicated to the benefits and potentials of mushrooms.
Both Madre Mushroom and Myco-Initiative are in growth phases, and the success of one fuels the other. As Madre Mushroom expands its reach, it can provide more resources and visibility to Myco-Initiative. Profits from Madre Mushroom will fund Myco-Initiative projects, increasing awareness and appreciation of mushrooms and indirectly supporting Madre Mushroomʼs growth.
About Maria Mulcahy, MSOM, L.Ac – Founder & President of Madre Mushroom
Maria Mulcahy is the Founder and President (and the original “madre mushroomˮ) 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, lionʼs 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 farmerʼs market has since expanded into a 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, Mariaʼs 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.
