Chaga

Chaga is a mushroom that resembles burnt charcoal in appearance - but tastes nothing like a mushroom.  In fact, it has the slightest hint of vanilla! Chaga grows on the side of birch trees in Siberia, Russia, Eastern Europe, and some parts of the United States and Canada. 

Chaga is considered to be a superfood and offers many health benefits to the body including:

  • Support the immune, nervous, and endocrine system. 
  • Stimulates the production of digestive bile in the liver.
  • Helps to regenerate cells and damaged tissue while promoting the growth of healthy cells.

Chaga is rich in nutrients such as copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc, and iron.  It contains numerous B vitamins, flavonoids, phenols, minerals and enzymes.

Ingredients

  • 1-2 tsp chaga powder
  • 8 ounces water
  • ¼ cup unsweetened coconut milk, almond milk, hemp milk (I love Native Forest BPA-Free Coconut Milk)
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch of cloves (you can add more to taste)
  • star anise (they make everything look beautiful and an added boost of immune support)

Optional Ingredients

  • 1 tsp cacao powder
  • 1 tsp local honey for sweetness

Preparation

  1. Add chaga to water and bring water to medium heat. The powder turns the water a dark brown color that looks similar to a cup of coffee. 
  2. Lower the water to a simmer. It is beneficial to steep the chaga for about 10-15 minutes.
  3. Add coconut milk (or milk of choice) and continue to warm. 
  4. Stir in spices. 
  5. Adjust spices to taste.
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