As I sit here today I am looking out across the Hudson River at dark, damp, icy weather and I can imagine myself sitting in front of a wood burning stove or in front of a fireplace with a pot of Chaga heating or boiling per your choice. Now that is the point of discussion for this blog post as you have so many ways to prepare a Chaga tea. There are many methods for brewing and preparing this brown mushroom that grows on birch trees. I will make an attempt to give you a broad overview of what I have found and welcome your input to put together more great ideas for preparation.
Here’s a cool new way to enjoy your Chaga. When you have finished using your Chaga grounds put them into a Jar with Vodka. The Vodka breaks down the waxy membrane that is around the chaga and it will release more nutrients. You will need to let it sit in a dark place for 2 weeks for the process to complete. When completed remove the grinds from the Vodka and make yourself another great tea. In fact in Russia this is a recipe that is used with their Siberian Chaga and huge Vodka market. Russian peasants have used Chaga for centuries; more than likely they were boiling water to make their tea.
I have read many blogs and articles on the internet on how best to prepare Chaga. Some suggest a high boil to activate the anti cancer attributes. Others proclaim that it is best to heat on low or even a simmer anywhere from 1 – 6 hours so as not to destroy the nutrients. The longer you brew your Chaga the darker and stronger it will get; and with a stronger, earthier flavor. I have even read about people who take several chunks, add water to a jar or sun tea bottle, sit it on the window sill for the day and let the suns rays prepare this drink.
Chaga can have an earthy bite that some people dislike but they still want the benefits of Chaga. So what other recipes for drinking Chaga exist? I have found numerous examples for ways to consume this nutrition laden drink. Just some that I have found are adding it to beer, I’m not sure how that would work, anyone who has done this please notify as I have not been able to find many details for this. More common blends are mixing in honey, raw organic agave, maple syrup, stevia and some add Ginger Ale. Other unique ideas are to make a hot chocolate Chaga. You can add 2 – 3 tablespoons of a raw cocoa powder to each cup of Chaga and then mix and add milk. How about this popular drink – Chaga Coffee – typically you will make a pot of Chaga and pot of coffee and combine one half of each add your sweetener and / or your milk of choice and you are ready to go. This is just one way to make your Chaga coffee, the various methods and ingredients are endless.
www.MaineSeaLiving.com If you have any other ways to enjoy your Chaga let us know.
