FAQ
Got Questions?
Frequently
Asked Questions
Everything you want to know about Hongo Tea Co, our products, and what makes us different.
Our Products
What products does Hongo Tea Co offer? +
Hongo Tea Co offers three product lines. Our Hongo Vitality RTD Teas are ready-to-drink 12oz canned teas — Hongo Pure Focus, Hongo Pure Energy, and Hongo Pure Immunity. Our Mushroom Powders include 14 single whole fruiting body powders and four functional blends (Perfect 10, Focus Fuel, Joint & Flex, and Cardio). And our Hongo Power Brew is a mushroom coffee available in regular and decaf, made with 100% Colombian coffee and whole fruiting body mushroom powder. Shop all products here.
What is the difference between the three RTD teas? +
Each tea has its own four-mushroom blend and its own flavor profile — and all three are caffeine free. Hongo Pure Focus features King Trumpet, Enoki, Shaggy Mane, and Lion's Mane with Key Lime and Black Currant. Hongo Pure Energy features Cordyceps, Turkey Tail, Chaga, and Lion's Mane with Hibiscus and Peppermint. Hongo Pure Immunity features Reishi, Lion's Mane, Turkey Tail, and Chaga with Lemon and Elderberry. All three contain 3,000mg of whole fruiting body mushrooms per 12oz can.
What is Hongo Power Brew? +
Hongo Power Brew is our mushroom coffee — 75% 100% Colombian ground coffee blended with 25% whole fruiting body mushroom powder (Reishi, Lion's Mane, Shaggy Mane, Turkey Tail, and Chaga). You brew it exactly like regular coffee in any method you prefer. It's available in both regular and decaf — a great way to get your daily mushroom intake without changing your morning routine.
What mushroom powder blends do you offer? +
We offer four blends, each built around its own combination of mushrooms. Perfect 10 contains all ten of our most popular mushrooms in one blend. Focus Fuel combines Lion's Mane, Shaggy Mane, King Trumpet, and Enoki. Joint & Flex combines Reishi, Royal Sun Blazei, Agarikon, and Meshima. Cardio combines Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Shiitake, Maitake, and Agrocybe Aegerita. All blends use 100% whole fruiting body mushroom powders with no fillers.
Where can I buy Hongo Tea Co products? +
You can purchase all Hongo Tea Co products directly from our website at hongotea.com. We also sell on Amazon. If you are a retailer interested in carrying our products, visit our wholesale page to apply for an account.
Ingredients & Quality
What does "whole fruiting body" mean and why does it matter? +
The fruiting body is the actual mushroom — the caps and stems you see and recognize. It contains the full natural composition of the mature mushroom. Many products on the market use mycelium grown on grain, which can contain up to 60% starch filler and significantly less actual mushroom. At Hongo, we use only whole fruiting body mushrooms — no mycelium on grain, no starch fillers, ever. Learn more on our Why Whole Fruiting Bodies page.
How are your mushrooms and herbs grown? +
All of our mushrooms and herbs are grown and harvested without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers — our sourcing standards require it. Our products are not certified organic, but our standards are strict, and we are committed to clean, natural ingredients in every product.
Why is there no added sugar in your teas? +
We believe a great tea doesn't need added sugar. Our teas are sweetened only with whole-leaf Stevia — not Stevia extract or powder, but actual dried Stevia leaf brewed right into the tea. This gives a natural, clean sweetness with zero calories and zero added sugar. The fruit juices in Pure Focus (key lime and black currant) and Pure Immunity (lemon and elderberry) also add a subtle natural sweetness; Pure Energy contains no fruit juice.
How are the RTD teas preserved without artificial preservatives? +
We use natural acidity to preserve our teas — no synthetic preservatives needed. Pure Focus uses key lime and black currant juice (2.9% juice), Pure Immunity uses lemon and elderberry juice (2% juice), and Pure Energy contains no fruit juice at all — it relies on hibiscus flower, which is naturally highly acidic. This keeps our teas shelf-stable and fresh while staying completely clean and natural. See exactly how our teas are made.
How much mushroom is actually in each can? +
Each 12oz can of Hongo Vitality Tea contains 3,000mg of whole fruiting body mushroom — 750mg of each of the four mushrooms in that blend. For context, the industry average for mushroom beverages is around 500mg total. We formulate at 8 grams of each mushroom per gallon, so every can gets the same full amount.
How is Hongo different from other mushroom brands? +
Most mushroom products cut corners in one of three ways: they use mycelium on grain instead of whole fruiting bodies, they use very small doses of mushroom, or they load their products with sugar and artificial ingredients. Hongo does none of these things. We use only whole fruiting body mushrooms, we dose at 3,000mg per can (6x the industry average), and our ingredients list contains nothing artificial. On top of that, Hongo was born from a real personal story — not a marketing team. Our founders drink these products every single day. Read more about what makes us different.
The Mushrooms
What mushrooms does Hongo use and what are they known for? +
We carry 14 whole fruiting body mushroom powders, each with its own history, character, and flavor:
- Reishi — Known as lingzhi in Chinese tradition and revered for over 2,000 years, with a bitter, earthy taste. The mushroom that started Hongo.
- Lion's Mane — Recognizable by its cascading white spines, with a tender, seafood-like texture.
- Chaga — A dark, birch-growing mushroom traditionally brewed as an earthy tea in Siberia and Northern Europe.
- Turkey Tail — One of the most studied mushrooms in the world, named for its colorful, fan-shaped caps.
- Cordyceps — A vivid orange mushroom with a long history in Tibetan and Chinese tradition, containing cordycepin.
- Shiitake — A beloved culinary mushroom with rich umami flavor, naturally containing lentinan and B vitamins.
- Maitake — "Hen of the Woods," a ruffled, woodsy mushroom containing D-fraction beta-glucan.
- King Trumpet — The largest oyster mushroom, naturally rich in ergothioneine.
- Enoki — Long, delicate, and mild, a staple of Asian cuisine and a source of ergothioneine.
- Shaggy Mane — A tall, shaggy-capped mushroom rich in dietary fiber.
- Meshima — A rare bracket fungus that grows on mulberry trees, treasured in Japanese and Korean tradition.
- Royal Sun Blazei — A Brazilian native with an almond-like aroma and one of the highest beta-glucan contents of any mushroom.
- Agarikon — One of the rarest mushrooms in the world, growing only on old-growth conifers.
- Agrocybe Aegerita (Black Poplar) — Known as pioppino in Italy, with a firm texture and nutty flavor.
Visit our full Mushrooms page for a detailed breakdown of each species.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Do your teas contain caffeine? +
Our RTD Vitality Teas are caffeine free — Hongo Pure Energy, Hongo Pure Focus, and Hongo Pure Immunity contain no caffeine. That makes them an easy choice any time of day. Our Hongo Power Brew coffee contains caffeine from the coffee itself and is also available in a decaf version.
Are Hongo mushrooms tested for quality and purity? +
Yes. All of our mushrooms are sourced from suppliers who follow strict quality standards, and our products are tested to ensure they meet our purity and potency requirements. We only use whole fruiting body mushrooms with no grain or starch contamination, and we verify this through our sourcing process.
Usage & Storage
How do I use the mushroom powders? +
Our mushroom powders are incredibly versatile. Stir them into hot water to make a tea or broth, blend them into smoothies, add them to coffee, mix them into soups or sauces, or incorporate them into recipes like oatmeal, energy balls, or baked goods. A typical serving is one teaspoon (about 2-3 grams). We recommend starting with one serving per day and adjusting to your preference.
How do I brew Hongo Power Brew coffee? +
Exactly the same way you brew any ground coffee — drip machine, French press, pour-over, espresso, or any method you prefer. Use the same amount you would normally use for your preferred strength. There is nothing special you need to do. The mushroom powder is already blended into the grounds, so every cup automatically delivers both great coffee and whole fruiting body mushrooms.
How should I store Hongo products? +
Our RTD teas are shelf-stable and can be stored at room temperature until opened. Once opened, refrigerate and consume within a few days. Our mushroom powders and Hongo Power Brew coffee should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Always reseal tightly after each use to maintain freshness.
When is the best time to drink the teas? +
Because our teas are caffeine free, they can be enjoyed any time of day. Many people enjoy the bright Hibiscus Peppermint of Hongo Pure Energy in the morning, the Key Lime Black Currant of Hongo Pure Focus at work or on the go, and the Elderberry Lemon of Hongo Pure Immunity any time — morning, afternoon, or evening. There is no wrong time to drink them.
Health & Safety
Are Hongo products safe for everyone? +
Our products are made from whole food ingredients — mushrooms, herbs, and fruit juices — with nothing artificial. However, as with any dietary supplement or functional food, we recommend consulting your healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, nursing, under 18, taking medications, or have a known medical condition. If you have a mushroom allergy, please do not use our products.
Can I take Hongo products alongside my medications or supplements? +
While our products are made from whole natural ingredients, we always recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before adding any new supplement or functional food to your routine — especially if you are currently taking prescription medications. Your doctor or pharmacist is the best person to advise you on any potential interactions.
Why did you start Hongo Tea Co? +
Hongo Tea Co was founded by Tim and Sandra Watts — two entrepreneurs from Loxahatchee, Florida with no background in food or supplements. During the pandemic in 2020, Sandra found a Reishi mushroom growing on a log in their backyard and brewed it into a tea with herbs from their garden. Tim started drinking it too. They kept researching, experimenting, and eventually built an entire product line — today handcrafted in small batches in a commercial kitchen in Florida. Tim and Sandra still drink Hongo every day. That is the story behind every product we make. Read our full story here.
Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee or returns? +
We stand behind everything we make. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please reach out within 30 days and we will make it right — in most cases you won't even need to send the product back. We are a small, founder-led company and every customer relationship is important to us. See our full Shipping & Returns policy here.
Are you interested in wholesale or retail partnerships? +
Yes! We offer wholesale pricing on our mushroom powder line and RTD Vitality Teas for approved retail partners including health food stores, gyms, yoga studios, wellness centers, and more. Visit our Wholesale page to learn about pricing tiers and apply for an account.
Still Have Questions?
We'd Love to
Hear From You
Reach out through our contact page and a real human will get back to you — not a bot.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Hongo Tea Co products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual experiences may vary.