Alaska, home to many hunter-gatherers who still roam its trails for food sources such as blueberries or fungi, often brings its own bounty in terms of blueberry production and Chaga mushroom, which grows on Birch trees in northern climates, has become increasingly sought-after as an medicinal superfood.

Have you seen it at your local health food store or coffee shop that touts its benefits? You might have seen it.

Benefits

Mushrooms are an increasingly popular health food with numerous potential advantages. Studies have demonstrated their ability to boost immune system functioning and slow certain aspects of aging. Many consumers enjoy adding mushrooms as snacks or ingredients for beverages like coffee and tea; mushroom tea has even become a trend in Alaska among consumers looking to explore all of its therapeutic qualities.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) mushrooms are non-toxic fungi found on birch trees in northern regions such as Siberia, Canada and Alaska. Easily distinguished from other mushrooms by their distinctive appearance resembling burnt marshmallow or charcoaled wood pieces, Chaga acts as an adaptogen that supports immune health while relieving stress-related oxidative pressure.

Chaga contains high levels of antioxidants to combat oxidative damage and encourage healthy cell growth, acting as one of the most potent food sources of beta-glucans and polysaccharides, both known for stimulating immune systems and improving energy. When consumed as a beverage form chaga may also provide other key health benefits including improved energy, enhanced immune stimulation, reducing oxidative stress levels and improving energy.

Chaga used in this beverage is sustainably harvested from Alaska’s wild places, and carefully prepared tea can retain all of the beneficial properties offered by this mushroom.

Chaga tea stands apart from other mushroom teas in that it does not contain caffeine. Enjoyed either hot or iced, the beverage makes a refreshing morning boost, afternoon snack or soothing evening ritual.

Chaga tea offers many health advantages and boasts a robust flavor with notes of wood and vanilla, made even more enjoyable by roasting Alaskan chaga for an earthy aroma, as well as adding Assam, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg cardamom, black pepper for sweet and warming warmth. Plus! For convenience on-the-go! This blend also comes as a dual extract tincture!

Origins

Alaska native Kate Mohatt once found mushrooms disgusting; when she came across a college course dedicated to fungi science however, her interest was reignited and soon enough she organized 17 local Fungus Fairs as well as coauthoring an Alaska-specific field guide called “Mushrooms of Alaska”.

Mohatt credits coauthors Noah Siegel (one of North America’s foremost mushroom experts) and Steve Trudell, a forest ecologist, with helping make his book possible over phone conversations; Mohatt himself was located year-round in Girdwood and could observe mushrooms in their natural environment.

She funded a home laboratory in order to “sequence,” or extract DNA, from mushrooms. This allowed her to accurately describe them in her book; for instance, Gitksan elders often use chaga for treating rheumatic joint pain by burning pieces down to black coal and applying it directly on painful joints.