Chaga is an ancient herbal remedy packed with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients that has long been recognized for its ability to support immune health while counteracting oxidative stress.

Chaga can be enjoyed as both a tea and a coffee alternative, thanks to its sweetened versions containing honey or maple syrup. With its plant-like taste and pleasant mellow aroma, chaga can be enjoyed by everyone!

1. Boil Water

Chaga tea recipes often call for boiling the water, however this may destroy some important medicinal compounds found within the mushroom and is therefore strongly advised against. Therefore, simmer your chaga instead.

To prepare chaga for use in tea-making, start by quickly washing it under cold running water to wash away any dirt or insects hiding within its crevices. Next, air-dry the fungus for two or three days in an ideal shaded location before you store or use.

Foraging for chaga can be done anytime of year, although wintertime is the easiest time. Chaga grows as a parasitic fungus on mature yellow and silver birch trees where it will form an offshoot known as ‘cankors’ on their barks, often producing black lumps called cankors which once mature will begin to die off leaving behind dense, richly-spore-filled bark that indigenous cultures prize for its medicinal properties.

Once dried, chaga can be cut into various sizes for use in teas and culinary applications. Some people prefer chunks for their deeper energy-infusing properties while others may opt for finer ground ‘chaga dust’ for easier application in beverages or meals.

Chaga dust can be added to hot or iced tea, coffee, smoothies and other beverages as an addition, or used to create herbal infusions and tinctures.

Native peoples of Canada have used chaga for millennia to strengthen the immune system, treat cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and chronic fatigue – without scientific proof – but many consumers report an improved state of wellbeing after drinking chaga tea. If you’re interested in trying it yourself it is wise to first consult your physician; especially pregnant and nursing mothers are advised against self medicating with any herbal remedies.

2. Steep Chaga Chunks

Chaga is often described as an all-natural remedy packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that has been used to treat tuberculosis, poor circulation, assist weight loss and even cancer treatment. But it should be remembered that chaga is no cure-all and if any illness arises it’s important to consult a qualified healthcare practitioner first before making decisions regarding herbal remedies such as Chaga.

Foraging your own chaga requires thorough washing to rid it of dirt or bugs before leaving it to dry in a dark cool location. Once completely dried, cut into different sizes depending on its use – large chunks (1 inch size) for kettle or pot use, coarse grind (for french press/Bodum style coffee makers) or finely ground to be added directly into soups/stews etc. Dried chaga can even be used as an emergency fire starter by holding it close to a flame until it begins smoldering or smoking before throwing it back into its container!

To make chaga mushroom tea, it’s recommended to steep chunks for at least 4-6 hours on low heat, longer for optimal results. As with black tea, the longer chaga is steeped, the richer and flavorful its tea will become. Note that any bitter or “dirty” tasting chaga should likely contain mold; otherwise if it tastes good it should taste similar to well made black tea cups! Enjoy! And for an added boost you could also add honey, maple syrup, or milk for extra boost!

3. Strain

Chaga is often described as an ancient herbal remedy containing essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that may aid in treating everything from tuberculosis to bad circulation and some cancers – its betulinic acid content is said to kill cancer cells while simultaneously stimulating immunity. Native people in Northern forests valued it highly for its many uses – although scientific evidence of its effectiveness as medicine remains scarce despite claims to the contrary. Regardless, its healing powers continue to be touted.

While some may find chaga to be bitter or harsh, its flavor is actually milder and fruitier. When making it for medicinal use, always consult a healthcare provider prior to drinking it.

If you harvested your own chaga, give it a quick wash before allowing it to dry for two or three days before use; this will ensure you harvesting at its most potency and healthiest state.

Once your chaga is fully dry, you can divide it into small chunks using either a knife or hatchet – being mindful that chaga can be very hard. Once this step has been completed, place it into your crockpot and simmer on low for at least 4-6 hours; the longer this process lasts the darker its colour will become and the greater its therapeutic effects will become.

If you don’t have time for making large batches of chaga mushroom tea, another way is to create a tincture by mixing chopped chaga with alcohol at a rate of 3 ounces per pint and leaving it sit in a cool and dark area for two weeks before straining out any solid particles that remain. This method yields an extract of plants or fungi. To do this, chop your chopped chaga mushrooms before mixing with alcohol at 3 ounces per pint for best results.

4. Serve

Buddha Teas Chaga Tea provides an exquisite experience, featuring mild body with an earthy flavor and its high nutrient density making for an enjoyable cup without needing additional sweetener.

Chaga is a parasitic fungus that feeds on birch trees, living alongside them as long as possible. The cankor-like growth created by Chaga is completely sterile and produces no fruit at all. On a healthy tree, cankors will typically be covered in symbiotic moss that protects the chaga from external elements. Chaga boasts one of the highest antioxidant values among all plants; even surpassing acai and blueberries! Traditional consumption of chaga has been used to support immunity and increase energy naturally, as well as for its adaptogenic and balancing qualities. Unlike coffee, which contains caffeine and is considered stimulating, chaga is non-stimulating; thus making it perfect for helping with stress, anxiety and depression management. Chaga has long been utilized by Russia and Finland residents who find comfort from it for relieving symptoms related to stress anxiety depression.