At first glance, chaga mushroom tea may appear repugnant. This black, charcoal-looking fungus grows on birch trees in cold regions and has been described as appearing like “a tumor.” Yet this trendy beverage is quickly becoming one of the latest health trends due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-cancer properties.

Our ancestors did an exceptional job of discovering medicinal plants from unexpected places, like chaga – an unusual-looking but beneficial mushroom found growing on birch tree bark that has been used as medicine for centuries. Chaga contains non-psychoactive fungi with beneficial compounds which may boost immunity, lower blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation and fight cancer.

Chaga is an increasingly popular dietary supplement available in tea bags, capsules and powder form; often combined with other ingredients for creating herbal and fruity drinks. Chaga’s immune-enhancing benefits can be attributed to its high concentration of beta-D glucans which stimulate white blood cells to kill bacteria and viruses more efficiently. Furthermore, chaga can reduce inflammation while supporting digestion as well as cardiovascular health.

Functional mushrooms, including lion’s mane, reishi and black hoof varieties are quickly growing more popular, while chaga remains one of the standout names in this field. Mushroom tea (an infusion of edible and medicinal mushrooms in hot water) has long been prized by eastern medicine practitioners as an effective means to boost immunity, lower inflammation and support adrenal health.

Mushroom teas are an emerging market with producers that range from small, artisanal startups to global manufacturers with multiple production sites. Many brands in this space face unique supply chain issues – sourcing, processing, marketing and distribution issues being among them – while quality issues may result in unfavorable reviews or disgruntled customers.

As opposed to lack of standardization, mushroom tea brands must strive to ensure consumers have enough knowledge about their product to make informed decisions when experimenting. Consumers have discovered a host of issues related to taste, consistency and any unwanted side effects or interactions with medications when drinking this type of beverage. Tea brands must take an active stance against this problem by providing consumers with clear information on what can be expected when drinking these types of teas.