Coffee is a dearly treasured daily ritual in the Pacific Northwest, in all of its rich simplicity. Seattleites and Portlanders vie for the "Best Coffee City" title year after year (FYI, Portland is currently in the lead, according to data from WalletHub). Newer Seattle coffee shops offer stand-out specialty brews and vegan menu items in the already-competitive local market.

Jody Hall, founder of Cupcake Royale and the Goodship Company, took this into consideration when she used her decades of food and drink experience to concoct a new take on coffee that means even more than caffeination.

Hall says she "grew up at Starbucks," where she worked for ten years and cultivated major company growth at a time when the coffee giant only had 20-30 locations. Last June, after spending nearly three years tinkering with 30 test recipes for her bold new twist on tradition, she made her return to coffee. Harnessing the power of highly concentrated yet undetectable adaptogenic mushrooms, she launched her most contemporary venture, Wunderground.

Her products were a hit in the evolving at-home coffee market, and she wanted to bring the brand to life here in Seattle. Through online sales and collaborative pop-ups, Hall was able to trial the brand in Seattle and beyond before acquiring an airy spot for Wunderground Café at 1111 E. Pike in the fall.

Here, she says she has the privilege of offering "the world's most delicious and adaptogenic mushroom coffee and tea," along with healthful plates and fantastic pastries.

Since opening, the café's cute, pastel-minimalist interior has become a popular space for laptop-wielding WFH coffee addicts and curious foodies alike. Tables are typically full just before and just after noon.

And yes, customers are aware that it's mushrooms, not Folgers, in their cup.

A bit of "Wunder" in every cup
Wunderground's high concentrations of adaptogenic mushrooms are very intentional for Hall, who has also partnered with Seattle-based farms and brands to complement the earthy ideals of the company and bring "Wunder" to her customers through other fresh and fairly sourced ingredients.

"Wunderground is the culmination of everything I'm passionate about," Hall said. "I am all about creating positive experiences and using good ingredients to inspire others."

Mushroom coffee sprouted as an idea following Hall's previous endeavors into the food and cannabis industries. These customer-first businesses offered her a glimpse of Seattle's larger community. Her biggest takeaway? We're all just looking for connection.

In 2010, Hall designed the now-famous Cupcake Royale cupcake "The Gay," to benefit Dan Savage's It Gets Better project. She was always open about her Lesbian identity, but beyond Pride events, had never included it in her business before. In the month of June that year alone, she raised $10,000 in memory of Tyler Clementi, a teenager who committed suicide after being outed online. "The Gay" has stuck around ever since, and Hall has noticed a community forming around her cupcakes and their unequivocal message of pride and solidarity.

At the Goodship Company, Hall promoted the responsible use of marijuana as a conduit for community building. She designed elegant edibles and founded the Goodship Academy of Higher Education, a 2015 sold-out lecture series for stoned audiences to engage with big ideas. Not only did weed seem "more classy," as reported in the Stranger in response to the programming, but people were coming together over Hall's organic microdoses to participate in mini TED talks and discussions.

She wouldn't have it any other way.

Now, Wunderground is a burgeoning test kitchen for Hall and her love for homeopathic and alternative medicines. Unlike the Goodship, Wunderground's products don't have any inebriating effects (no, you won't find any psilocybin here). Hall said they do have "major neuroprotective and immune-boosting health benefits," though.

Get mushy, says the science
While a Western focus on modern medicine has prompted great innovation and life-saving technologies recently, timeless mushrooms have been proven to possess anti-allergic, anti-cholesterol, anti-tumor, and anti-cancer properties.

In adaptogenic mushrooms, these properties are courtesy of beta-glucans and triterpenes, which have been proven to help regulate stress and cortisol. When something stressful arises, these adaptogens step in to prevent bodily stress from building up.

According to Hall and her peer-reviewed sources, this provides more room for thinking clearly and being creative. "Adaptogens are amazing for clearing brain fog," she said. "Especially in the concentrations we have here."

Adaptogenic mushrooms are held to be helpful for immune and nervous system health as well, and in Wunderground's formulas, they make for a masterful cup of joe.

Her most popular blends are "Brainchild," made with 200mg of lion's mane and cordyceps, whose adaptogens especially boost cognitive function; and the immunity-focused "Hocus Pocus," with 200 mg of chaga and reishi.

Additionally, Wunderground also sells instant coffee and tea sticks, which feature an even higher concentration of mushrooms per serving, and the café offers add-ons in its takes on the traditional vanilla latte and mocha.

"We wanted to bring authentically crafted beverages," said Hall. "Our premium, efficacious mushroom products are really brought to life at the café."

For a mocha, order the "Strange Magic" to give yourself (and your immune system) some love. Or, if you're focused on staying focused, clear your mind with the "Brainwash," a creamy vanilla, mushroom syrup—infused latte. Both options bring an additional 500 mg of mushrooms along with their delicious caffeine-and-sugar buzz. And yes, you can get that with (organic) oat milk.

Wunderground Café also offers a standalone whole bean that maintains its "Wunder" through ethical sourcing and its notes of chocolate.

For those who turn their nose up at the word "mushrooms," fear not. Wunderground's are hidden in the lofty aroma and taste of the coffee.

The food also makes for a worthwhile lunch on its own. The café is currently working on new and elevated food and pastry recipes.

Note: Head in to Wunderground Café and mention the SGN during the month of February to get a filter coffee with your blend of choice for free. Visit their website at www.wundergroundcoffee.com