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MUD\WTR is a low-caffeine coffee alternative that claims to boost energy, focus, and cognitive function without any of the side effects coffee drinkers can experience. These benefits are made possible from nutrient-rich ingredients, including tea, cacao, spices, and several species of fungi known as functional mushrooms.
We’ve heard some users swear that a daily cup of “mud” helps them feel better than ever, so we had to try it for ourselves. GGR Editor Frieda Johnson broke up with coffee long ago, so she was the perfect person for the job. In this MUD WTR review, we’ll share our expert take to help you decide if this trendy drink is better than a coffee pre-workout and whether or not it’s worth trying.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
If a Product Promises Energy, We Try It
From the strongest pre-workouts to DIY latte recipes, our product testers know the benefits of increasing energy levels for more impactful and effective workouts. Our product testers are fitness professionals, including certified personal trainers, athletes, and nutrition coaches.
While MUD\WTR isn’t marketed as a sport supplement, it’s an alternative to caffeine, which happens to be one of the most popular energizing ingredients for exercise.
GGR Editor Frieda Johnson, a certified nutrition coach and exercise therapy specialist, replaced her usual morning beverage with MUD\WTR and shared her thoughts on ingredients, taste, and benefits. She also rated its price per serving, formulation, side effects, third-party testing, and more according to our GGR testing methodology.
MUD WTR
MUD\WTR
Product Highlights
- Low- or no-caffeine coffee alternative
- Listed benefits: Provides energy boost without jitters, improves focus and mood, supports immunity
- Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO project verified, certified vegan, Kosher, and Whole 30-approved
- Available in 4 varieties: Original, Matcha, Turmeric, and Rest
- Included: 30-serving tin, rechargeable frother, guidebook, sticker, and sample
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 2 flavors with caffeine and 2 flavors without caffeine
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Vegan, Kosher, and Whole 30 Approved
- Free shipping within the United States
Cons
- Very mixed reviews on taste, texture, and mixability
- Website defaults to 30-day subscription when you attempt to purchase
- Mixed reviews on effectiveness
Bottom Line
MUD\WTR is a low- or no-caffeine alternative to a cup of coffee. They recommend pouring hot water over 1 tablespoon and mixing with a spoon or frother. MUD\WTR claims this powder will give you energy without the jitters and crash associated with coffee. They also claim it will improve your mood and support your immune system. This drink has extremely mixed reviews on taste, texture and effectiveness. The taste is described as ‘earthy’ in both positive and negative reviews.
A Quick Look at MUD WTR
The founder of MUD\WTR wanted to create an alternative to coffee that offered health benefits without unpleasant caffeine-related side effects. Inspired by Brazilian yerba mate and Indian chai, he created a blend of tea, cacao, mushrooms, and spices to deliver energy, focus, and wellness benefits.
The original MUD\WTR, called Rise, contains black tea, but there are also matcha and two caffeine-free rooibos versions, one with turmeric and one designed to support sleep. All varieties of MUD\WTR come in powdered form and are prepared by stirring a scoop into a cup of hot water. They also sell powdered coconut creamer and lucuma-based sweetener.
Before You Buy
- The matcha version contains the most caffeine, while the turmeric is caffeine-free.
- If you like MUD\WTR, you’ll get the best price with a subscription.
- MUD\WTR doesn’t dissolve well, so expect to remix or keep adding water to use up each serving.
Is MUD WTR Worth It?
If you like starting your day with a warm drink but coffee makes you jittery or messes with your sleep, MUD\WTR could be for you. It’s not caffeine free, but it contains much less than a regular cup of coffee.
You’ll either love or hate the taste and texture of MUD\WTR. It tastes nothing like coffee, which is good news for folks who aren’t fans, but will disappoint those who appreciate a good brew. It also leaves a lot of sediment in your mug, so expect grit. At $1.67 per serving, it might be worth it for those looking for a simple coffee alternative they can make at home.
RELATED: Coffee vs Pre-Workout
Great for:
- Fans of spiced tea
- Caffeine sensitive individuals
- People who don’t like coffee
Not recommended for:
- Individuals with a high caffeine tolerance
- Coffee lovers
- Fans of smooth-blending products
MUD WTR Specs
| Price per Serving | $1.67 without a subscription, $1.33 with a subscription |
| Servings per Container | 30 |
| Flavors | Original (masala chai), Matcha (matcha chai), Gold (turmeric), Rest (rooibos chai) |
| Types of Mushroom | Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Reishi |
| Other Notable Ingredients | Cacao, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Himalayan Pink Salt |
Experience Using MUD WTR
Our MUD\WTR tester, Frieda, is no stranger to coffee alternatives. She started making her own caffeine-free drink from roasted dandelion root and chicory root over a year ago. Despite MUD\WTR’s lofty claims, she wasn’t a convert.
“If I had tried it while I was still drinking coffee every day, I might feel differently, but as it stands I wasn’t super impressed,” she said. “I think my coffee alternative tastes better and I didn’t see any improvements in my energy and focus, or any other health aspects.”
Price Per Serving
A 30-serving tin of MUD\WTR sells for $50, or $1.67 per serving. The subscribe and save option brings the price per container down to $40, or $1.33 per serving. The price for the bag with 90 servings is $1.39 per serving without a subscription.
Overall, MUD\WTR costs less than ordering from a barista, but more than brewing your own tea or coffee at home.
Formulation
MUD\WTR is certified organic and free from sugar, additives, and artificial ingredients. It contains black tea, cacao, a spice blend, and a mushroom blend. Many of its ingredients are used in Ayurvedic or Traditional Chinese medicine, but lack sufficient research to support claimed benefits so we rated it 3 out of 5 stars.
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Both tea and cacao1 are rich in plant compounds associated with combating inflammation and illness. They’re also natural sources of caffeine, about 35 milligrams per serving. The spice blend includes cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, nutmeg, and cloves, all of which are sources of antioxidants.
There are 2,240 milligrams of mushrooms per serving, with 560 milligrams each of chaga, reishi, lion’s mane, and cordyceps. These species are functional mushrooms2 and adaptogens because they’re sources of bioactive compounds that are associated with health benefits, like improving the body’s response to stress. However, most studies on mushrooms are limited to a lab or animals and the jury is still out on how much to consume for optimal benefits.
Ultimately, this formula is rich in antioxidants that can support overall well-being. However, more research is needed regarding their impact on energy, cognitive function, and physical performance.
Taste and Solubility
Frieda described the taste as good, but not delicious, and rated it a 3.75 out of 5 stars. “The original flavor tastes like a slightly watered-down chai tea with a hint of cocoa,” she says.
She says the powder doesn’t fully dissolve, which creates a gritty texture and adds to the watered down taste. “There is quite a lot of sediment that settles to the bottom, so you need to stir it periodically or even add more water to finish the last of it,” noted Frieda. She rated solubility 2 stars out of 5.
I’ve tried MUD\WTR on a separate occasion and agree with Frieda’s take. Neither the taste or texture impressed me and I ultimately didn’t keep using it.
Side Effects
Frieda didn’t notice any side effects after drinking MUD\WTR, so this category earned a 5-star rating. However, that doesn’t mean MUD\WTR can’t negatively impact some people.
The amount of caffeine in the original and matcha versions is comparable to a cup of tea, so it’s unlikely to cause side effects, like jitters.
Some herbal ingredients and mushroom species may interact with medications and supplements, however, so you should speak with a healthcare provider before experimenting with these ingredients.
Third-Party Testing
MUD\WTR is certified organic, gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO. Noticeably absent is a recognizable third-party testing certification, but their website says all mushrooms used in their products are third-party tested for the presence of heavy metals. Without third-party verification, this category gets a 2-star rating.
MUD\WTR vs RYZE
Ryze
RYZE Mushroom Coffee
Product Highlights
- Vegan mushroom coffee with less than half the caffeine of a traditional cup of coffee
- Features California grown mushrooms and Mexican coffee
- No sugar, gluten, dairy, soy or GMOs
- 1% of profits go to teaching mindfulness in schools
- Listed benefits: Improved focus, energy without a crash, supports immune, gut, and digestive health, and optimizes brain function
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 30 Day Guarantee
- 100% recyclable packaging
- Vegan, keto, and paleo friendly
- 6 mushroom blend
Cons
- Only available in the United States currently
- More caffeine than competitors
- Mixed reviews on taste
Bottom Line
Ryze Mushroom Coffee contains both a 6 mushroom blend and coffee. Despite containing coffee the taste still received mixed reviews from people making the switch from traditional coffee. It was described as “earthy” both positively and negatively.
RYZE Mushroom Coffee is another organic mushroom-forward drink. Like MUD\WTR, it’s designed to energize without tons of caffeine, contains functional mushrooms, and is prepared by adding it to hot water. RYZE contains coffee, so it has more caffeine than MUD\WTR with 48 milligrams per serving. That’s still less than regular coffee and pre-workout, though.
They differ in price and flavor, with RYZE being closer to $1 per serving. RYZE contains 2,000 milligrams of mushroom powder compared to 2,240 milligrams in MUD\WTR, but has more types of mushrooms.
RYZE also contains MCT oil and coconut milk, which make for a smooth and creamy texture. If chai spice isn’t your thing, RYZE is a good alternative to MUD\WTR.
RELATED: Best Pre-Workout
| MUD\WTR | RYZE | |
| Price per Serving | $1.66 | $1.20 |
| Servings per Container | 30 | 30 |
| Flavors | Original (masala chai), Matcha (matcha chai), Gold (turmeric), Rest (rooibos chai) | Coffee, Matcha, Chicory, Hot Cocoa |
| Types of Mushroom | Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Reishi | Cordyceps, Reishi, King Trumpet, Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail |
| Other Notable Ingredients | Cacao, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Himalayan Pink Salt | MCT Oil, Coconut Milk |
Customer Experience
If you try MUD\WTR and don’t like it, you can get your money back within 30 days of purchase. If you love it and want to spread the word, be sure to check out their referral discount and ambassador program.
To get in touch with their customer service, you have to go through a contact form on their website. Since first-time orders are refundable, we rated customer service 4 out of 5 stars.
Ordering MUD WTR
You can order directly from mudwtr.com, Amazon, or Target.
The first step is choosing which variety of MUD\WTR you’d like to try. From there, choose between a solo container of MUD\WTR or one of their kits. The starter kit includes a frother to help you mix your drinks and the latte kit includes the frother plus powdered creamer.
Each option is available as a one-time purchase or eligible for subscription savings. Subscriptions ship free and can be customized to 30-, 60-, or 90-day shipments. Shipping costs $5 for one-time purchases.
Customer Reviews
Original MUD\WTR has a 4.5-star rating based on nearly 49,000 reviews on the brand’s website and 4 stars on Amazon based on approximately 1,000 customer reviews.
The taste and texture are hit or miss. “If you like gritty cinnamon flavor then you are going to love this!” wrote one Amazon reviewer, who clearly wasn’t a fan.
“No matter how long I use my frother, it doesn’t completely dissolve and feels a little powdery to me – kind of like some protein powders do,” wrote another Amazon shopper.
Some users find a daily cup of MUD\WTR is 100% worth it. “I know this sounds dramatic but I can tell a huge difference in my energy level, focus and even digestion when I don’t have my morning mud water,” raves an Amazon reviewer.
Final Verdict of Our MUD WTR Review
While MUD\WTR didn’t knock our socks off, it may be a great coffee alternative for you if you’re sensitive to caffeine, trying to drink less coffee, or want to add functional mushrooms to your routine for health benefits.
- Original MUD\WTR contains 2,240 milligrams of powdered mushrooms, with equal parts Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, and Reishi.
- There is 35 milligrams of caffeine per serving of MUD\WTR, which is about one-third of the amount in coffee.
- Although some of the ingredients are linked to health benefits, there are no studies to support MUD\WTR’s claimed benefits.
Full Rating
MUD WTR
MUD/WTR is a low- or no-caffeine alternative to a cup of coffee. They recommend pouring hot water over 1 tablespoon and mixing with a spoon or frother. MUD/WTR claims this powder will give you energy without the jitters and crash associated with coffee. They also claim it will improve your mood and support your immune system. This drink has extremely mixed reviews on taste, texture and effectiveness. The taste is described as ‘earthy’ in both positive and negative reviews.
Product Brand: MUD WTR
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 60
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.4
MUD WTR Review: FAQs
Is mud water really good for you?
MUD\WTR contains antioxidant-rich ingredients that can support health and well-being. It’s low in calories, contains no added sugar, and is made with all organic ingredients.
Why does MudWtr have a prop 65 warning?
Prop 65 is required by California law to alert customers to the presence of potentially harmful chemicals. MUD\WTR contains organic ingredients that may be exposed to naturally occuring chemicals, like lead, during the growing process, but they claim to do in-house and third-party testing for safety.
What does mud wtr taste like?
MUD\WTR contains tea, chai spices, cocoa, and mushrooms, so some users describe the taste as an earthy, chocolate-y chai tea.
Does mudwater help with weight loss?
MUD\WTR is not a supplement designed for or intended to support weight loss. Like coffee and tea, it’s low in calories and macros, so it’s a better option to support a calorie deficit than sugar and cream-laden drinks.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- Román GC, Jackson RE, Gadhia R, Román AN, Reis J. Mediterranean diet: The role of long-chain ω-3 fatty acids in fish; polyphenols in fruits, vegetables, cereals, coffee, tea, cacao and wine; probiotics and vitamins in prevention of stroke, age-related cognitive decline, and Alzheimer disease. Rev Neurol (Paris). 2019;175(10):724-741. doi:10.1016/j.neurol.2019.08.005
- Venturella G, Ferraro V, Cirlincione F, Gargano ML. Medicinal Mushrooms: Bioactive Compounds, Use, and Clinical Trials. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(2):634. Published 2021 Jan 10. doi:10.3390/ijms22020634
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