Why I’m Drinking Chaga Tea This Winter — And Maybe Forever
Maybe you’ve heard of my good sis, Chaga. She’s an adaptogenic mushroom that only grows on birch trees in the northern hemisphere. She’s a powerful antioxidant who has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. I met her on Instagram though.
I was curious to try all the adaptogenic mushrooms the wellness bloggers were raving about. After doing some research, I stumbled across several potential health benefits** of incorporating Chaga into my daily routine:
The first one is what caught my eye most. I hate being sick and with it being cold and flu season, I decided to give it a shot. I figured it couldn’t hurt (though there are potential risks to be aware of with Chaga, as there are with most things).
Initially, I tried adding it to coffee and smoothies but it made my drinks too gritty. It doesn’t dissolve well in liquid. Then I saw a few blogs saying you could use a crockpot it to make a concentrated tea. It’s mad easy. All you need is chaga powder, filtered water and a crockpot.
Before I share the recipe, I have to tell you Chaga is an expensive bitch. One way around that though is to sign up for a grocery subscription service, get a free trial, order the Chaga and then cancel. I ain’t gonna tell you which one, but it’s a popular market so I trust you got it.
Anyway, here’s the tea recipe:
Ingredients
¼ cup of chaga powder
Filtered water
A fine mesh strainer (You can use cheesecloth or a nutmilk bag as well.)
1. Pour the filtered water into your crockpot and stop when it’s about two inches from the top.
2. Add the chaga powder.
3. Cook on low for 10 hours.
4. Let the tea cool for about 3 to 4 hours.
5. Strain the tea using the fine mesh strainer.
That’s it. The tea, which has a nice earthy yet sweet taste, will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also dry out the leftover grounds and reuse them. The tea can be consumed hot or cold. I love heating mine on the stove then adding 1 tbsp of honey, a splash of almond milk and a scoop of Vital Proteins collagen powder.
** Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any government entity. If there are links present, they will redirect you to studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals or other credible sources of information.
Any products mentioned in this post are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness. Furthermore, I am not a medical professional and this post is not intended to provide medical advice. Please check with your doctor before adding anything new to your daily routine, diet or exercise regimen — especially if you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, using recreational drugs, or are pregnant, breastfeeding or intend to become pregnant in the near future.