Mushroom‑infused foods soar in Richmond
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Mushrooms are sprouting up everywhere — in coffee, soda, chocolate and meat blends.
Why it matters: Sales of 'shroom-infused foods and beverages have skyrocketed in Richmond, going from around $526,000 in sales last year to more than $830,000 this year.
State of play: Centuries after they were considered medicinal, mushrooms are today's go-to "functional," brain-boosting food.
- Mushrooms are a solid source of the antioxidant ergothioneine and B vitamins, which could all support the brain, registered dietitian Janet Helm tells Axios.
- And sales of food and beverages with mushrooms are up over 450% in the U.S. since 2021, according to NielsenIQ.
Yes, but: 😔 We're not talking about "magic" mushrooms, sadly.
- We mean "functional" mushrooms, like lion's mane, chaga, reishi and cordyceps.
Zoom in: If want to try some of these food and bevvies infused with magic-less, but functional mushrooms for yourself, check out:
- The shaman smoothie at North End Juice Bar (made with a "supershroom blend")
- Or the nitro mushroom coffee at Sammich.
You can also road-trip up to D.C, where psychedelic mushrooms have been decriminalized for years. and try Sagrada Mia.
- That's a new 'shroom-centric 14th Street restaurant that mimics holistic psilocybin journeys through tasting menus.