Approximately 75% of Americans kickstart their day with a cup of coffee. What if you could fill your cup with a beverage that not only meets your coffee expectations but also enhances your wellness routine?
This is the vision behind Wunderground, a Seattle-based brand making waves by blending premium coffee with adaptogenic mushrooms. Located on Concourse A near Gate 1 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the Wunderground kiosk offers travelers a unique way to energize before their flights — promoting focus and tranquility without sacrificing flavor.
Jody Hall, the founder and CEO of Wunderground, expressed her mission: “We created Wunderground to add wellness to the world’s most ritualistic beverage and have it taste like really, really good coffee.” In a time filled with anxiety and stress, Hall emphasizes, many individuals are searching for a source of energy and concentration. “In our world, the new normal is stress and worry and our thesis is ‘Wunderground helps.’ It helps us have better focus. It helps us calm anxiety and stress.”
Wunderground’s offerings include Brain Wash Dark and Medium Roast coffee, Dream Supply Tea, and Brain Wash Adaptogen SuperBoost, which can be incorporated into any drink of choice. For those looking for something special, Wunderground’s Capitol Hill café features innovative mushroom-infused espresso and tea drinks, paired with nutritious bites masterminded by Chef Ericka Burke.
A journey through coffee and beyond
Hall is well-versed in Seattle’s vibrant coffee culture. With a decade spent at Starbucks during its infancy, she was instrumental in its growth from a mere 30 stores to a global presence with 3,000 locations. She also played a pivotal role in introducing travelers to Seattle’s coffee culture when the first Starbucks opened at SEA.
Moreover, Hall’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to found Cupcake Royale, recognized as the country’s first cupcake bakery, which she continues to operate 22 years later. Eventually, she returned to her coffee roots, launching Wunderground in 2021, driven by the vision to revolutionize coffee by infusing it with wellness benefits through the power of mushrooms, inspired by mushroom expert Paul Stamets.
Introducing the ‘quad squad’ of adaptogenic mushrooms
While coffee itself is high in antioxidants and delivers an invigorating energy boost, excess consumption can lead to heightened stress and anxiety levels. That’s where the unique blend of adaptogenic mushrooms comes into play.
Adaptogenic mushrooms help balance the body’s responses to stress and regulate cortisol levels, ensuring a smoother day without the jitters traditionally associated with coffee. The magical quartet of mushrooms in every cup of Wunderground includes:
– **Lion’s mane**: Enhances focus, memory, and mental clarity, ideal for keeping sharp.
– **Reishi**: Supports a calm day while bolstering immunity; recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties.
– **Cordyceps**: Provides sustained energy and endurance, favored by athletes for years.
– **Chaga**: Aids in immune support and counters inflammation, ensuring a strong feeling inside out.
Each serving comprises 5,000 milligrams of these mushrooms — significantly more than what’s typically found in competing mushroom coffee brands — while preserving a full-bodied, smooth coffee taste devoid of any earthy aftertaste.
Revolutionizing taste in mushroom coffee
Many prospective consumers shy away from mushroom coffee due to concerns regarding its usual earthy flavors. Wunderground aims to shift this perception by offering a rich, delectable coffee with the benefits of potent adaptogenic mushrooms, all without a hint of mushroom taste.
The development of their product line began with sourcing high-quality, concentrated organic mushroom extracts. The team then pursued coffees from regions that complemented these extracts to effectively mask any mushroom flavor. Through meticulous experimentation with roast curves, they perfected the recipe for an exceptional cup.
Hall shares the feedback they often receive: “People try it and say, ‘Are you sure this has mushrooms in it?’ That’s exactly the response we want.”
Fostering connections through coffee
Hall believes that coffee is intrinsically linked to connection. Reflecting on her time at Starbucks, she recalls its essence: it was more than just coffee; it was a community gathering space where daily interactions flourished.
This philosophy guided her through her business ventures. At Cupcake Royale, she sought to foster moments of joy and celebration that transcended simply eating cupcakes.
Wunderground’s name stems from the underground existence of mushrooms, symbolizing the notion of wonder as they emerge above ground. Hall explains, “At Wunderground, we aspire to inspire wonder. Our products can help you disconnect from the incessant noise of daily life and allow you to engage with friends, family, and creative ideas. I think we’re starving for wonder. We’re starving for connection. And that’s the core reason for building this company.”
Savoring a wellness-infused treat
For coffee enthusiasts looking for a unique experience, the Wunderground Café — just 11 blocks from the Pike Place Market Starbucks — invites patrons to indulge in mushroom-infused espresso or lattes. One of their standout offerings is the Big Brainwash on Ice, featuring delightful hints of cocoa and vanilla.
To recreate this popular beverage at home, here’s the recipe for the Big Brainwash on Ice:
– **Ingredients**:
– 80% cold brew coffee
– 1 stick of Brainwashed Super Boost
– 20% oat milk (or any milk of choice)
In the café, Wunderground uses its meticulously crafted cold brew made from the Brain Wash Dark Roast or Medium Roast coffee. For home preparation, feel free to utilize your preferred cold brew brand or brew your own and chill it.
Looking ahead for Wunderground
At its SEA kiosk, travelers are welcomed to sample free offerings and receive subscription discounts for enjoying Wunderground beyond their journeys. For those always on the move, the brand also markets single-serve instant coffee sticks, perfect for travel, accommodation stays, or thoughtful gifts.
Further ambitions include offering the Brainwashed Super Boost for in-flight options and expanding availability to airport retailers like Hudson News.
As a proud Seattle-based startup, Wunderground is dedicated to carrying forward the city’s rich coffee innovation tradition while aiming to make its mushroom-infused coffee accessible to coffee lovers across the nation. Their sales strategy combines direct-to-consumer approaches through their website and airport kiosk, as well as collaborations with leading companies to stock break rooms and partnerships with artisanal coffee roasters to incorporate mushroom coffee into their menu.
image source from：portseattle
