Everything You Need to Know About Chaga Mushroom Tea
Chaga mushroom tea has been popular in Eastern Europe for many centuries, thanks to its various health benefits. However, it’s been said that drinking too much Chaga tea could have the opposite effect and be dangerous for your health. Keep reading as we discover everything you need to know about Chaga tea and how to create the perfect drink each and every time.
What are the Benefits of Drinking Chaga Tea?
Chaga tea offers a high dose of antioxidants and is an excellent superfood to add to your daily diet. Antioxidants prevent cell damage in our bodies, which is caused by free radicals. When we don’t consume enough antioxidants, oxidative stress occurs, which could cause cancer and other health conditions in the long run. To receive these benefits, you need to drink the fungus by heating it up, which is why many people drink it in the form of tea. Chaga mushrooms are believed to prevent and slow down cancer, but researchers are still looking into this area.
Consuming Chaga tea also offers you a natural anti-inflammatory, which can lower your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. As well as the internal benefits, Chaga tea is known to help regenerate skin cells. For anyone who suffers from eczema, allergic rashes, or psoriasis, it could be the ideal tool for relieving skin inflammation. Chaga tea is rich in Sclerotium. This offers a high melanin content, which can protect your skin from UV damage in the future.
A cup or two of this tea a day could help to improve your health, but overconsumption could have the opposite effect. When taking medication, you need to be very wary of drinking too much Chaga tea. Start slowly and see how your body reacts to a daily cup of Chaga tea. If you aren’t taking any medication, for the most part, you don’t have to worry about adding Chaga tea to your diet at all.
How Do You Make Chaga Tea?
The mushroom will need to be harvested and cut into chunks while fresh to begin the process. You’ll then leave it to dry for a few days before creating powdered Chaga or adding it to boiling water. When making tea, you’ll want to strain the Chaga out and then leave it to dry and reuse it. Experiment with the length of time you brew the tea, so you can find the perfect taste for you. Chaga nuggets can be used up to five times, but make sure you store them in a cool and dark place between uses.
Who is Chaga Dangerous For?
Too much Chaga tea? For the average healthy person, drinking Chaga tea isn’t dangerous. That being said, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on diabetes medication, or struggling with low blood pressure, it should be avoided. On top of that, anyone on blood thinners, with kidney disease, autoimmune diseases, or taking any medication will need to think twice before consuming Chaga tea. It could interact with any medication you are taking and cause undesirable side effects.
The Proper Storage of Chaga Tea
Your tea can be stored for up to 14 days in the fridge with no issues, but Chaga tinctures are a good option for the long term. When storing Chaga, you need to be aware of mold, with white mold on the outer layer and green-blue mold on the inner layer being the biggest issue. When drying Chaga, ensure that the temperature is always below 50 degrees Celsius. You can use an oven, dehydrator, or dry spot to dry it safely. Keep it at room temperature in a dry space that is away from direct sunlight. The best storage options are a clean container, glass jar, or a wash cloth. This will ensure your Chaga remains safe for consumption, and it can last for up to two years when stored properly.
Why Does Chaga Sometimes Taste Bad?
Healthy and fresh Chaga has a slight bitterness which some people dislike. For this reason, many people opt to add herbs, spices, natural sweeteners, or plant milk to their drink. The source and quality of your Chaga will impact its taste, so ensure you find a reliable supplier. The length of time you brew your Chaga tea will impact the taste, and some people opt to brew it for multiple days. For best results, we recommend using 15 grams of Chaga nuggets for one liter of water. Keep it brewing for four to five hours at 50-80 degrees Celsius for best results.
What Can Impact the Taste of Chaga?
There are a few things that might be causing your Chaga tea to taste bad. Firstly, the Chaga you are consuming might have been dead for a while now. Spring is the best time to harvest Chaga, which will allow you to enjoy the benefits of fresh Chaga. Ensure your stash never becomes contaminated, as this can impact the taste. Mold is the biggest issue, so make sure you are storing it properly in your home in a dry space. Finally, you need to find the right Chaga tea recipe for you. Test out the length of time you brew the tea for to find your desired taste.
For the majority of the population, Chaga tea is a safe drink to consume each day for endless health benefits. We recommend trying out different recipes to find your perfect strength, and you’ll soon notice the improvements to your health when consuming it regularly.
