MUD WTR Review
A Coffee Alternative With an Edge
There are a few food truths I hold to be self-evident. #1. Under-seasoning is a crime. #2. Pancakes are better than waffles. #3. Coffee is everything. I’ve been a loyal coffee drinker since I was in my teens, and it’s rare there’s a morning when I don’t start my routine with a mug of joe. (Some might even tell you that it’s unwise to speak to me before I’ve had my first sip.) This might make me an unlikely candidate for a coffee alternative, but I’m an open-minded lady with insatiable curiosity. When the opportunity presented itself to review MUD\WTR, I was immediately intrigued. What does this coffee alternative offer that my regular coffee doesn’t? Is it healthier? How do you make it? What does it taste like?
In this review, I’m going to explore these questions and more. I’ll look at what’s in the “mud,” explore the claims, brew a cup (or two), and give you my honest opinion on how it tastes. Will a coffee alternative be able to dazzle this coffee devotee? Let’s find out!
Determined to stick to real coffee? Check out our list of the best coffee subscriptions!
About MUD\WTR & Pricing
MUD\WTR is available for purchase without a subscription, but significant savings are available if you sign up for regular shipments. The subscription service is called MUD\WTR VIP.
The Product: MUD\WTR VIP
What’s It All About: MUD\WTR VIP is a recurring subscription sent every 30, 60, or 90 days. The first shipment contains a 30-serving tin of Mud coffee alternative, plus a frother, sample of creamer, and some branded stickers. Subsequent shipments replenish your Mud stash.
The Cost: $40 per shipment. ($1.33 per serving of Mud.) Shipping is free for all recurring shipments.
Can I Buy Without Subscribing: Yes! You can make one-time purchases on the MUD\WTR site.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Switching to a Coffee Alternative
What Is It?
Image via MUD\WTR.
My first question after finding out that Mud is a coffee replacement was simple: if it’s not coffee, then what is it? Here’s an answer straight from the source:
MUD\WTR™ is a coffee alternative consisting of organic ingredients lauded by cultures old and young for their health and performance benefits. With 1/7th the caffeine of coffee, mud gives you natural energy, focus and more without the jitters and crash.
Okay, with this, they had my attention. I read further and was intrigued to find out that MUD\WTR was born out of the founder’s disappointment with how coffee was affecting him; he loved the ritual of drinking coffee (as do I) but wanted something that wouldn’t affect his sleep cycle, create dependency, or give him a boom/crash. He wanted something like coffee that would do more— help him hone his mental clarity, increase his physical stamina, and support his immune system. The idea for Mud was inspired by Indian Chai, a piping hot tea brewed with a blend of spices, and shaped by a desire to create a drink that would taste good and perform. The company founder did some research and selected a number of different ingredients that are known for their health benefits, and he began working in his own home kitchen on what would ultimately become Mud.
What’s In It?
Image via MUD\WTR.
So, what’s in Mud? The site is very transparent about what goes into the mix, so let’s lay it all out on the table and look at the ingredients, one by one.
Before we dive in, though, I want to take a second to point out that I am not a medical professional, and I am not here to evaluate wellness claims or debate the benefits of these ingredients. I am a food reviewer, and my expertise lies therein. (Similarly, when I review coffee, I don’t claim to be an authority on the benefits or drawbacks of caffeine. But I can tell you whether the beans are nicely roasted, what the flavor profile is like, and how it makes me feel.) I will, however, point out this disclaimer posted on MUD\WTR’s site: “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease.” My own view (for what it’s worth) is that many foods have inherent health benefits. Personally, I like to be informed about what I’m eating, but I try not to lionize or vilify ingredients, and I rarely treat food as actual medicine.
- Masala Chai
Chai is a blend of ingredients like naturally brewed and flash-dried black tea powder and 100% certified organic powdered spices: ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves. With just enough caffeine to induce alertness, numerous benefits, and a complex flavor profile that rivals coffee – chai is what gives Mud it’s soul.
- Cacao
Cacao is Mud’s most abundant ingredient both for its flavor and effect. Cacao was worshiped by the Mayans, fueled the daily diet of the Aztecs, and has been labeled the “food of the gods” by many subsequent cultures. It makes sense, because it tastes as good as it makes you feel.
- Reishi
Reishi was added to support wellbeing and immunity. This mushroom has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2000 years and is commonly called the “king of mushrooms” for its adaptogenic qualities. It has many polysaccharides and beta-glucans that are known to help support healthy immune function.
- Chaga
Chaga is a mushroom that grows on birch trees. Eastern cultures have been drinking chaga for centuries for its overall benefits and soothing properties.
- Cordyceps
Cordyceps was chosen for its physical performance benefits. Originally used by high altitude Tibetan herdsman, cordyceps is now used by many to support energy, stamina and athletic performance.
- Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane was added to support mental performance. A newly-hyped nootropic in western cultures, lion’s mane has been a part of Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries.
- Turmeric
Curcumin is an antioxidant flavonoid found in turmeric that supports the body’s normal inflammatory response through optimization of cytokine production.
- Himalayan Sea Salt
Salt supports hydration and a balanced ph level. In addition, it helps get the digestive system flowing and gets your body some much needed minerals.
- Cinnamon
Cinnamon contains phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidants that make it one of the most beneficial spices on the planet.
My MUD\WTR Experience
Signing Up
Image via MUD\WTR.
When you sign up for MUD\WTR VIP, you can select how frequently you’d like to receive refills of Mud.
If you’re not ready to subscribe, you can make a one-time purchase in the shop. (However, it’s worth noting that shipping is free and discounts are provided on recurring purchases.)
My MUD\WTR Box
Easy to read between the lines on this one, you gave it away, means it’s not very good, thanks for being honest.
Over a month now since this post and nothing in the comment section about your mother. That must be a definitive statement of her response which I’ll use to pass judgement to proceed trying or not. (Everyone else who reviews it seems to have a financial interest in driving people to their web-site.)
Regards,
I have been using mud for about a week now. I am someone who doesn’t like the taste of coffee. (Too bitter) but have always wanted something like coffee to start my morning with. I found this product as an amazing answer to the want to start my morning with a warm awakening drink in the morning.
It took to about my second or third cup to really fall in love with the taste I now crave every morning.
I make mine with a bit of sugar, honey, and almond milk. But I don’t think these things are needed, just what I prefer and I may ween off some of these additions.
My only issue is price. 1.10 a cup is a little pricey but I’ve enjoyed it so much and love the benefits and will begin to budget it because I am hooked
I actually just received my first tin of MUD/WTR on new years eve. I wanted to try and really reduce my caffeine intake and ditch being dependent on coffee. It completely affects my sleep pattern depending on when I drink it. Had my first cup yesterday and totally skipped my coffee. My concern was that I was going to have a killer headache, but I did not. I first tried it plain and it grew on me; however, the texture was not great even when using the frother. Today I used it with Almond milk, a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a bit of Agave. It was delicious! I’m going to stick with it and see how I feel over the next month. I typically was drinking half a pot or more of black coffee. Yesterday I had 2 cups of MUD/WTR and felt great. It is definitely more expensive than black coffee, but it will be worth it if it provides the benefits noted. I’m going to check out some of the other coffee alternatives mentioned here in the comments. Thank you for your review! Oh… and that frother can surely make a mess if you let it! haha
I’ve never tried MUD/WTR but I am a big Four Sigmatic fan – and the two sound similar. Four Sig has more coffee and mushroom varieties available though. I’ve found it’s helpful to think of it more like tea than coffee – I’ll never give up my coffee but I like a mushroom drink as an afternoon pick-me-up that won’t trigger a bout of insomnia or nighttime anxiety! Great review, Lindsey, I might have to pick up that frother.
Thanks, Julie! Yeah, the frother is great for this type of beverage. Really helped with the blending. It’s funny, I’ve been wanting a frother for whipping cream for aaaages. I never want to get out my mixer for such a small job and always end up doing it by hand… and regret it every single time. 😂
I love my morning espresso so much that I think I would perish if ever I needed to give it up. I enjoy sitting quietly in a mostly dark room and just listening to the sounds around me. ( before the rest of my house wakes up!). With WFH, I have tried to add a daily cup of tea to an afternoon routine to get me away from my desk, but I just don’t think I could ever replace my morning coffee.
On another note I worry quite a bit about becoming dependent on something that is not readily available in stores. The concept of this is interesting though.
Every drink I’ve tried with mushrooms tastes like dirt to me. I seem to strongly dislike a lot of umami flavors and that may be part of it (heck, most of it) — I also can’t do real coffee in pretty much any way, shape, or form. Anyway, I will be passing on this for sure!
To me, chicory has a little bit of umami flavor going on and coffee itself does too, but dandelion tea is much less so. I do understand about having strong preferences in teas though, since stevia is an instant reject flavor to me, no matter how slight it is in the blend.
Yeah, I can handle Teeccino (I like the kind you put in a coffee maker better than the bags) and I also reject stevia in 99.9% of drinks I encounter it in.
Teechino comes in grounds?? I’ll have to look!
My brother is the same, Ragan. He CAN NOT STAND the taste of coffee. Sometimes I don’t know how we’re related! 😂
Teaccino is a much more widely available coffee alternative and with several much cheaper sampler boxes you can try to determine if you prefer roasted chicory or dandelion as the non coffee base of flavor. I know that mushroom teas are popular because of the recent health claims, but teeccino gets very close to the coffee like flavor when im trying to avoid caffeine. For what it’s worth, republic of tea also has a few mushroom tea blends and at least one mushroom chai chocolate blend that I don’t mind either, and for much cheaper and no committment.
Great info! Thanks for sharing, Drminniecooper. I’ll have to check out Teaccino. 🙂
Yummmm! I definitely need to check this one out 😍
I love coffee and I like matcha a lot too but I decided to give this a try.
Report back! I’ve been thinking of trying too. The frother was holding me back. I already have one. Guess I can gift it.
I bought this a year ago and I didn’t like the taste at all. Even with lots of sugar and cream I just couldn’t get into it.
I’m here just to say that I really enjoyed reading your review. the product itself is not something I would spend 40$ on (I’d be ok to try 1 serving just out of curiosity), since I’m not trying to cut on caffeine and, when I need a less caffeinated pick me up, I like drinking matcha.
Thanks, Izzie! I’m a matcha drinker, too!
What’s everyone’s fave matcha? I’ve been drinking breakaway – pretty tasty!
B, Breakaway has been on my list to try. Do you recommend it? (Their packaging is so fab!)
I love Adagio teas, and they sell a couple great matcha powders. My favorites are black and blueberry. In fact, I love everything they sell lol. Pretty sure I’d like to try a mushroom coffee now though!
I like it a lot! Lots of different prices. They have a quiz to help you pick out the right one.
Sure, why not?