Everything you should know about Wild Canadian Chaga Mushrooms

Whether you are considering Chaga for the first time or looking for a refresher, think of this blog as a healthy sip of what you want to know and what you should know about Wild Canadian Chaga Mushrooms. I am Tao Wu from Tao Tea Leaf, and I am writing to support your thirst for learning about and (hopefully) trying Chaga Mushrooms.

What are Chaga Mushrooms? 

Chaga (scientifically known as Inonotus obliquus) is a big fungus that typically grows on yellow and white birch trees; it has a black charcoal outside and a golden colour on the inside. Chaga is well known for its richness in Beta-Glucans, which contains cancer fighting properties, and a woody and loam notes taste.

A few alternative names for Chaga includes Clinker Polypore and Birch Conk.

History of Chaga Mushrooms

The "Gift from God" and also nature's "King of Herbs" are just a few phrases that truly make this mushroom shine; and this is due to its strong presence or roots in times before Christ and traditional Asian medicine.

Back then and leading up to this day, some specialists (herbalists, tea sommeliers, etc.) believe that a daily supplement of Chaga plays a hearty role in boosting the immune system and encouraging positive life energy (“Chi”) for growth and development.

… and some just drink it leisurely.

Where can you find Chaga Mushrooms?

These Mushrooms grow best on the outside of yellow and white birch trees in cold climates (e.g., Canada, Russia, northeast China, and northern areas of Europe and the United States). The average size of a full-grown mushroom is 15 to 20 inches, but they can definitely grow larger.

How is Chaga harvested?

Delicate and mindful techniques are required when harvesting Chaga; healthy preservation of the host tree, to protect it from infections and to support Chaga regrowth, is very important. The best farmer will trim only the “mushroom” from the host tree.

To boost the nutrient content of fresh Chaga, it has to be dried (naturally under the sun or in a drying room) to remove excess moisture.

Various styles of Chaga

Some tea aficionados believe that the smaller the size (or “cut”) of the packaged Chaga the more nutritious the brew will be, and that the body will process more of its goodness faster.

Nevertheless, here are a few styles to consider:

Chaga Chunks - normally cut into pieces of about 1.5 inches; can be reused about 4 times.

• Some users may choose to break the chunks into a smaller size (now known as Chaga Fine-cut/nuggets - these pieces can be reused about 2 times. Feel free to add them to your tea bags (you can make up to 10 rounds of steeped Chaga tea using this method!).

Chaga Powder – milled at a low temperature (maximum 120 degrees F) to preserve nutrients. This texture is an excellent perk for tea bags and smoothies!

You might even find Chaga in a capsule or concentrated liquid form.

Chaga Mushroom Benefits

Chaga is rich in antioxidants and can easily boast of potency as per its six key ingredients: (1) Polysaccharides, (2) Beta-D-Glucans, (3) Phytosterols, (4) Betulin and Betulinic Acid (Triterpenes), (5) Antioxidants, and (6) Superoxide Dismutase (SODs))

Seven areas of health that Chaga may support: (1) The Immune System, (2) Mood (Relaxation), (3) Ulcers and Gastritis, (4) Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels, (5) Antimicrobial Activity, (6) DNA Damage, and (7) Antiviral Activity

Regarding the responsible consumption of Chaga Mushrooms:

• In laboratory studies Chaga has been shown to demonstrate anti-cancer activity as well as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune-stimulating properties, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
• This bitter mushroom is sometimes used for pain relief. Always consult a health care provider before trying a medicinal plant, especially if you take medicines or have a health condition, because consuming it may lead to unwanted effects.

How to prepare Chaga

Suggested brewing tools: Rice Cooker or Slow Cooker, Large Thermos, and Strainer

Brewing guide: Use 20 g of Chaga chunks or 10 g of Chaga powder for 1000 ml of water

• 1.Rinse the Chaga
• 2.Pour boiling water into your rice cooker/slow cooker
• 3.Add the Chaga to the water
• 4.Close the lid of the cooker then press the keep warm button (if you decide to use a thermos, simply close its lid) and let the Chaga steep for 8 hours
• 5.Next, strain the mixture to collect the Chaga extract
• 6.Serve and enjoy your brew (store excess Chaga extract in the fridge for daily use)

Plus, to get the most of your Chaga (every morsel of nutrition) reuse the chunks a few times or until the taste and colour gets lighter.

Why should you consider Wild Canadian Chaga Mushrooms as a top choice?

In Canada:

• 1.They grow in forest areas with little to no pollution (secluded; far from the hustle and bustle)
• 2.Several regions provide favourable cold temperatures – it helps them slowly build a rich base of nutritious awesomeness

Chaga Mushrooms are commonly found and harvested from the following regions in Canada:

• a.Ontario: Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Sudbury, Barrie, and Muskoka
• b.Northern Alberta
• c.Northern British Columbia
• d.New Brunswick: Moncton and Fredericton
• e.Quebec: Laval, Mont-Tremblant and Sherbrooke
• f.Territories: Northwest Territories and Yukon

How Tao Tea Leaf sources the Best Quality of Wild Canadian Chaga

At Tao Tea Leaf, we use the same idea when we source tea, we source from the root and aim to make the shortest distance between Chaga and your cup.

We have strong long-term relationships with local wild Chaga mushroom hunters (in Canada), and we encourage this dedicated team of farmers to use the best harvesting (from the purest environments) and sustaining techniques, so that we can continuously bring this premium flavour to you.

Additionally, we strive to collect the largest size of Chaga mushrooms and maintain the chunks in its original size from our hunters, so that Tao Chaga presents a robust quality for your individual or wholesale needs at the Best Price Guaranteed.

Click here to check out our Chaga selection and you can shop online and/or stop by the store.