Can you drink cordyceps tea in winter? Yes. Winter is one of the most popular times to enjoy cordyceps tea. A warm, caffeine-free cup fits naturally into cold mornings and early evenings, and traditional herbal systems have long treated cordyceps as a seasonal tonic for the colder months. Below you will find how to make it part of your winter routine, what modern research suggests, and a few sensible precautions.
Why winter feels so draining
Across much of North India, November to February brings shorter daylight hours, chilly mornings, heavy blankets that are hard to leave, and, in cities like Delhi, smoggy air that keeps many of us indoors. Add year-end deadlines, wedding season and festival travel, and it is no surprise that many people reach for a third or fourth cup of chai or coffee.
The trouble is that extra caffeine late in the day can disturb sleep, and poor sleep makes the next winter morning even harder. That cycle is exactly why many people look for a warm drink that feels comforting without adding more caffeine.
Cordyceps as a traditional winter tonic
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, cordyceps (known as dong chong xia cao, "winter worm, summer grass") is described as having a warm, nourishing nature and has historically been used in tonics during the colder months. In the Himalayan regions of India and Nepal, the wild species is known as keera jhari or yarsagumba.
Wild cordyceps is rare and very expensive, which is why most modern products, including ours, use Cordyceps militaris, a species that can be cultivated in a controlled environment. If you are curious about the difference, read our explainer on Cordyceps militaris vs Cordyceps sinensis.
What research suggests
Traditional use is interesting, but it is not proof. Here is what a few human studies on Cordyceps militaris have looked at:
- A 2024 randomised controlled trial published in Scientific Reports examined a Cordyceps militaris beverage in healthy adults and reported changes in some markers of immune response compared with placebo.
- An earlier trial in healthy Korean men suggested that Cordyceps militaris may support certain aspects of cell-mediated immunity.
- Other small studies have explored energy, fatigue and exercise performance, with mixed results.
These studies are small, used specific preparations and doses, and do not show that cordyceps prevents colds, flu or any illness. The fair summary is that cordyceps may support general wellbeing as part of a healthy lifestyle, and more research is needed. Think of your winter cup as one small, enjoyable habit, not a shield.
How to build a winter cordyceps tea ritual
A ritual works because it is simple and repeatable. Here is an easy framework you can adapt.
1. Pick your moment
- Morning: a warm cup after you wake up can replace or follow your first chai and gives you a gentle start without a caffeine spike.
- Mid-afternoon: the 3–4 pm slump is when many people grab coffee. A caffeine-free cup here is less likely to interfere with sleep.
- After a winter walk or workout: something warm after exercise in cold air feels great.
For more detail on timing, see our guide to the best time to drink cordyceps tea.
2. Use the right water temperature
Use hot but not boiling water (roughly 70–80°C, or let boiled water rest for a minute or two). Very hot water can flatten the lemon and honey notes. Stir well and let it sit for a minute before sipping.
3. Keep it consistent
Most people who enjoy functional mushroom drinks say consistency matters more than any single cup. One sachet a day, at roughly the same time, is an easy habit to keep. Our Cordtea 30-sachet daily pack covers a full month, while the 15-sachet trial pack is a good way to see whether the taste and routine suit you.
Four warming winter twists
Cordtea already contains lemon and honey powder, so it tastes good on its own. If you want to play with winter flavours, try these:
| Twist | How to make it | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ginger-lemon cup | Add 2–3 thin slices of fresh ginger to hot water, steep 3 minutes, then stir in a sachet. | Cold mornings |
| Tulsi and cordyceps | Steep a few tulsi leaves for 2–3 minutes, remove, then add a sachet. | Evenings at home |
| Cinnamon warmer | Add a small pinch of cinnamon or a short cinnamon stick while steeping. | Afternoon slump |
| Flask for the commute | Mix a sachet in a pre-warmed steel flask with hot water and close tightly. | Office and travel days |
Looking for more ideas? Our post on what cordyceps tea tastes like, with easy recipes has a few more.
Other winter habits that pair well
A warm cup works best alongside basics that research consistently supports:
- Morning light: step outside or sit near a window soon after waking, even on hazy days.
- Regular sleep times: long winter nights make it tempting to drift; a fixed bedtime helps.
- Hydration: people often drink less water in cold weather. Warm drinks count towards your fluids.
- Movement: indoor walks, yoga or stretching on high-AQI days.
- Seasonal food: winter brings great produce like amla, carrots, oranges, greens and millets.
Who should check with a doctor first
Cordyceps tea is a food-based wellness product, not a medicine. Please speak with your doctor before using it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take regular medication (especially blood thinners, diabetes medicines or immunosuppressants), have an autoimmune or other health condition, or have a surgery coming up. Our cordyceps safety checklist covers this in more detail. If you feel unwell, see a healthcare professional rather than relying on any supplement.
FAQs
Is cordyceps tea warming or cooling?
Traditional Chinese Medicine describes cordyceps as warm and nourishing, which is one reason it is linked with winter. Modern science does not use these categories, but many people enjoy it as a comforting warm drink in cold weather.
Can I drink cordyceps tea at night in winter?
Cordtea is caffeine-free, so many people enjoy it in the early evening. Some find any energising ritual too stimulating close to bedtime, so notice how your body responds and adjust.
Will cordyceps tea stop me from catching a cold?
No product can promise that. Some studies suggest Cordyceps militaris may support certain immune markers in healthy adults, but it is not a treatment or prevention for any illness. Vaccinations recommended by your doctor, good sleep, hand hygiene and nutrition remain the basics.
Can I add milk to cordyceps tea?
Cordtea is designed as a lemon-honey infusion, so it tastes best with water. Milk can clash with the citrus notes.
How many cups a day are okay?
Follow the serving guidance on the pack, typically one sachet a day. More is not necessarily better.
Make winter a little warmer
Winter does not have to mean endless caffeine and foggy afternoons. A simple, consistent cordyceps tea ritual, alongside light, sleep, movement and good food, is an easy way to look after yourself through the colder months. If you would like to try it, start with the Cordtea trial pack or go straight to the 30-day pack, and make your first cold-morning cup this week.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Cordtea is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult a doctor if you are pregnant, on medication or have a health condition.