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Tired of mushroom teas and drinks that taste like… well, mushrooms? You’re going to love this easy and delicious healthy chaga tea, made with chaga mushroom chunks. It has such a mild taste that you won’t believe it’s made with mushrooms, which makes it an easy addition to your routine.
Chaga is a mushroom that has a mild and earthy taste, making it a popular choice for tea. While other healthy mushroom varieties might have a bitter or strong flavor (I’m looking at you, reishi), the chaga mushroom is refreshingly mild-tasting and easy to drink. So much so that my kids ask me to make this tea and happily drink it.
So let’s get to it!
What is Chaga?
Chaga is a type of fungus that grows on birch trees in regions like Siberia, Canada, and parts of the northern UK because of the cold climate. Scientifically, chaga is known as Inonotus obliquus and actually resembles the black, irregular mass on the tree bark.
What Makes Chaga Tea Popular?
Chaga tea is celebrated for its many health benefits, including:
1. Contains Antioxidant Compounds: The naturally occurring antioxidant compounds is makes it a popular choice in traditional beverages.
2. Traditionally Used in Herbal Drinks: Chaga has long been used in traditional preparations of teas.
3. Earthy Flavor: The mind earthy floral pairs really well with ingredients such as cinnamon and maple syrup.
Reuse your Chaga Chunks!
Wait! Don’t toss those used chunks of chaga! Chunks of dried chaga mushrooms can be used multiple times for multiple infusions. Each infusion may have a milder flavor than the previous one.
Just store your chaga chunks in the freezer after you’ve strained your infusion, and use them again. I use the same chunks of chaga mushrooms at least 5 times. And then, when they are mostly used up for tea, I add them to my veggie scrap bag in the freezer, and they later become part of homemade vegetable or bone broth. They can also be composted.
frozen chaga mushroom chunks, ready to be brewed into their next batch of chaga tea.
What else can I add to Chaga Tea?
Chaga tea is delicious on its own, but adding a few other ingredients can really bring this herbal drink to the next level.
Consider adding:
Cinnamon: Adds a familiar spiced flavor to the tea with a hint of sweetness.
Maple Syrup: My favorite natural sweetener for chaga because it complements the earthy flavor and adds a hint of sweetness.
Honey: Acts as a natural sweetener and adds a smooth flavor.
Ginger adds a fresh, spicy kick that pairs really well with the earthy flavor of chaga.
Should I sweeten my Chaga Tea?
This is completely up to you. My recipe includes maple syrup as a mild sweetener, which I love paired with the subtle cinnamon in this blend. You can add more sweetener, if you prefer, or leave it out completely. You can also try honey for a slightly different flavor or raw sugar.
Can I drink chaga tea cold?
YES! We drink this tea cold most of the time and love it as a refreshing iced drink. I make many of my herbal teas and infusions cold, because I find that my kids are far more likely to drink them cold.
Make it a Chaga Cocktail
This is a great fall and winter base for a festive, herbal cocktail. I’ve served it with a shot of whiskey over ice, and it’s a hit!
Note: I know you’re excited to make chaga tea and try it for yourself, but I recommend buying the mushrooms or finding them in your local market instead of going into the wild to pick them yourself, since some varieties might be poisonous or cause discomfort.
Chaga Tea with Cinnamon and Maple
An easy and delicious healthy chaga tea, made with chaga mushroom chunks, cinnamon and maple syrup. This healthy mushroom tea packs a nutritional punch and tastes great, too. This makes a large batch of chaga tea that can be stored in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces dried Chaga mushrooms, estimated
- 1 cinnamon stick, broken up
- 2 quarts water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
Add chaga, cinnamon, and water to a saucepan and heat to a simmer
Cover with a lid and continue simmering for at least 1 hour
Remove from heat and let cool if planning to store, or strain into cups and serve hot.
Strain the tea into jars for storage, save the chaga chunks!
Add maple syrup and stir to combine
Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Notes
Drink cold with ice, or as a warm tea. Both ways are delicious!
Don't toss your chaga mushroom chunks after brewing your tea! They can be re-used multiple times to make your next several batches of chaga tea. Let them air dry, and then pop them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze until you're ready to make your next batch of tea. I re-use my chaga chunks up to 5 times.
So, why wait any longer? Go ahead and make your own chaga tea and serve it hot or cold; that’s up to you. Use the extra flavor of your choice to create a unique blend that will make you come back to this recipe again and again.