Chaga Mushroom

Chaga Mushroom Birch Tree Fungus

One day I was on a wild walk with some ladies from the north country and one asked me.”  Do you know about the magical  mushroom that grows on the birch tree?” “No, I did not.”  That led to my summer-long quest of finding it.  I took daily walks up the mountain looking at every tree to see if I could find one. That summer I had no internet at camp so I could not go online and look.  I had an opportunity to visit a neighbor and he said I could use the computer if I wanted to. Yes, I wanted to know about the Chaga Mushroom.  Well, I was amazed at all the benefits. I learned The Chaga mushroom had been used for thousands of years, The Siberians called it the “gift from God”. The Chinese called it “King of the Plants.” and the Japanese called it “Diamonds of the Forest.”  First off it does not look like a Mushroom. It is a brown and orange fungus.  It has a high content of beta-glucan, essential sugars that provide a boost for the skin’s immune system.  Chaga contains high levels of antioxidants, several B vitamins, falconoid, phenols, minerals, and enzymes.

The Chaga mushroom can have up to 30%chromogenic complexes by weight, which is highly protective to the skin.  It’s most important ingredient is superoxide dismutase {SOD). An enzyme that halts oxidation, especially the toxicity of free radicals known as singlet oxygen.  It prevents aging.    When I learned all of this and more. I was hooked.  When I saw how good it was for the skin. I started putting it in my soap.

I sell chaga plain by the 1/4 pound $15, 1/2  pound $25, full pound.  $50

Using the Chaga Mushroom as a tea.

Chaga has a mild flavor and pairs with many beverages.

I make a full gallon of tea with a 1/4 cup of Chaga Mushroom to one gallon of filtered water.  I bring it just to a boil and turn off the stove cover and steep for 8 hours strain and refrigerate for future uses.  Take the strained Chaga put it in a container and freeze it for further batches

. The Chaga can be used again and again till there is no color in the water.   Then after there is no color in the water you can make an alcohol infusion with vodka.  There is very little waste for your money with Chaga.

Once I have the tea made I can use it for anything,  I sometimes will fill my single coffee maker with Chaga tea instead of water and brew my coffee that way.

Chaga can also be ground in your coffee bean grinder and added to the grounds when making coffee.