Chaga is an adaptogenic herb widely recognized to strengthen immunity and increase energy levels while being an abundant natural source of antioxidants. Buddha Teas Arctic Chaga is pure and organic with no fillers, additives or preservatives added – offering a light mushroom taste which pairs nicely with honey as an add-in option for an enjoyable tea drinking experience.

Benefits

Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) is an adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant superfood found on the bark of birch trees in cold regions. Packed with betulinic acid – an active plant compound proven to reduce inflammation and boost immunity – as well as beta glucans which have been shown to fight cancer and lower cholesterol levels, Chaga mushrooms provide powerful nutrients.

Chaga can best be consumed through ingestion as tea. This superfood boasts one of the highest ORAC values of any food source and can be brewed as traditional or blended with other ingredients to create different beverages; capsules and powder versions of Chaga may also be available.

Buddha Teas offers an aromatic, earthy Chaga tea that’s deliciously smooth and easy to drink. Without having a strong mushroom taste, this blend pairs perfectly with honey for those seeking to improve their health and increase energy levels. It is the ideal blend for those wanting a boost of vitality!

Tea made with high-grade chaga chunks is free from chemicals or pesticides and brewed over an 8 hour process before being filtered to remove impurities. You can brew this delicious beverage hot or cold and sweeten with honey or other natural sugars; all these options come packaged together in a 4 ounce bag for convenient re-steeping!

Origin

Chaga mushroom has long been used in traditional medicine as a treatment for various health ailments, from heart disease and blood sugar reduction, cancer prevention and arthritis alleviation, to providing immune system boosting benefits and improving sleep quality. Chaga is well-tolerated by most adults; however it should be avoided by those taking insulin/other diabetes medications, those suffering from bleeding disorders and those preparing for surgery due to potential interference between certain chaga strains and medications such as clopidogrel or aspirin interactions.

As well as offering incredible health benefits, chaga tea is also deliciously earthy and nutty with an intriguing woodsy flavor, which may differ slightly depending on personal taste buds and the duration of time chaga is brewed for. Longer infusion times tend to create stronger and bolder flavor profiles while shorter ones may provide milder or even milder versions of its effects.

To achieve optimal flavor from your chaga tea, it should be brewed between 160-175degF (71-80degC) for 4-6 minutes at 160-175degF (71-80degC). This allows the nutrient-rich fungus to release all its complex flavor notes while simultaneously increasing levels of antioxidants. Honey or milk can also be added for an indulgent and nutritious beverage experience.

Marion Bird and Tommy harvest approximately 45 kilograms of chaga annually, which they distribute among community elders or sell at local markets. When harvesting from healthy trees with large firm pieces they take special care in selecting only healthy trees as sources for this harvest.

Fungus that has an outer charcoal-like layer hides an eye-catching burnt orange hue is known by Cree communities of the north as “posakan.” Collecting this form of traditional medicine has been done for generations by members of this Cree community; more recently it has become more accessible due to health-conscious retailers selling it as part of health programs – but some residents in northern communities worry that its availability might interfere with traditional practices and cultural traditions that have long been part of First Nations traditions.

Flavor

Chaga is widely known for being an effective natural immune booster and powerful adaptogen, as well as being rich in antioxidants. It’s flavor is often described as mildly earthy and woodsy, giving this beverage its signature soothing yet invigorating qualities much like black tea does.

Chaga can vary in flavor depending on its preparation method and duration. For optimal health benefits, we recommend brewing it for 90 minutes to extract maximum benefit from its content.

Buddha Teas’ Chaga tea provides natural energizing benefits, without caffeine, for an energy boost throughout your day. Enjoy it alone or mix it in with other blends like Birch Chai and Cold Citrus Chaga to add extra intensity.

Preparation

Chaga is a parasitic fungus found on Birch tree bark that grows for decades without harming its host tree, making it popular with indigenous cultures for its numerous healing properties. Chaga may support immunity, fight viral infections and protect against cancers thanks to its abundance of antioxidants.

Chaga tea differs from most herbal varieties in that it requires an extended steep time in order to extract its nutrients and flavors, due to its extremely dense structure made up of hardened chitin. As such, most people opt for using a slow cooker when brewing it themselves at home – the longer it simmers the more health benefits it will reveal itself!

For the easiest method of preparation, large chunks of chaga should be put into a crockpot filled with water and set to simmer overnight at 1 to 2 chunks per liter (which equates to 4 cups).

Once fully brewed, Chaga tea becomes dark brown in color with an earthy, woody and slightly mushroomy taste that has many similarities to coffee. It can be enjoyed both hot or cold and often sweetened with honey or maple syrup for optimal enjoyment – many enjoy sipping their cup every morning as an alternative to their regular cup.

For those not comfortable foraging for their chaga, there are companies which sell dried ready to use chaga mushrooms that can be used in various ways. Chaga can be ground into powder for instant chaga tea use with coffee grinders or added directly into other beverages such as soups, stews or smoothies etc.