Have you ever found yourself wondering “what does chaga mushroom tea taste like?”. If so, you’re not alone!
Most of us in the West haven’t grown up with the ritual of mushroom teas at home. And, chaga mushroom only has a pharmaceutical value, with no value as food. But don’t be scared to try it. As I tell my 3 yr old son, “the only way to see if you like something is to taste it”. I’m sure he’ll ask one day “what does chaga mushroom tea taste like?”, and I’ll respond like I always do, “just try it!”.
Chaga mushroom tea is commonly described as having a unique and complex flavor profile. Some people describe the taste as rich and earthy, comparing it to a mix of coffee and black tea. Others say it has a more woodsy, subtle and smoky flavor. Neither is right nor wrong, but chaga mushroom tea may taste slightly different for every individual.
Formal and academic studies describe the taste of chaga mushroom along similar lines. For instance, one study found that chaga mushroom tea has a "mild, pleasant, slightly sweet taste with a woody aftertaste." Another study described the taste as slightly bitter and added that it also had a "unique and pleasant taste". Other than taste buds, why else may the taste of chaga mushroom differ slightly?
The duration for which you brew chaga mushroom can also influence its taste. More formal academic studies on the benefits of chaga often brew it for a total of 90 minutes. The taste can certainly be more delicate and weaker if brewed for a shorter period of time. Adding to this, the form of your chaga can influence chaga’s taste. In other words, if you’re brewing chaga powder, which is often heavily processed and imported from unknown sources (yuck! Am I right?), the taste may be different than Tamim Teas’ blends which source chaga straight from the source simply dried and lightly blended.
Many people enjoy drinking chaga mushroom tea for its potential health benefits. Studies indicate that it has high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components, which may help to boost the immune system and protect against some diseases (Wasser, 2002). Other studies just point to how chaga mushroom is helpful for overall well being. To be honest, chaga is one of my favorite mushroom teas to brew because of the wealth of studies being conducted on its benefits. Of course, I am also a big fan of its taste, and it pairs so naturally with both spicy chai flavors and more tart, berry flavors. Talk about an adaptogen for taste and health!
So, what does chaga mushroom tea taste like? It’s hard to say for sure, and the flavor can vary depending on your source, your taste buds, and the particular tea blend that it is in. We find chaga mushroom to be a very enjoyable beverage that’s rich and earthy with both subtle sweet and smoky notes. We’d be very happy to hear your thoughts on what chaga tea tastes like for you.
If you’re interested in trying Tamim Teas’ chaga mushroom, check out our three great tea options below. After all, if you’re going to try chaga mushroom tea, why not try the best?
References:
- Rogers, Robert Dale. "The true tinder conk: First Nation’s use." Fungi 5.3 (2012): 56-57.
- Romine, Stepfanie. Cooking With Healing Mushrooms: 150 Delicious Adaptogen-Rich Recipes that Boost Immunity, Reduce Inflammation & Promote Whole Body Health. Simon and Schuster, 2018.
- Wasser, S. P. (2002). Medicinal mushrooms as a source of antitumor and immunomodulating polysaccharides. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 60(6), 258-274.
- Pine, Dov. "Adaptogen Series–Reishi Mushrooms."
- Arata S, Watanabe J, Maeda M, Yamamoto M, Matsuhashi H, Mochizuki M, Kagami N, Honda K, Inagaki M. Continuous intake of the Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) aqueous extract suppresses cancer progression and maintains body temperature in mice. Heliyon. 2016 May 12;2(5):e00111. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2016.e00111. PMID: 27441282; PMCID: PMC4946216.
