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Chunks, Nuggets, Tea Cut or Powder- Which Grind of Chaga Do I Choose?

So, you've decided to try wild-harvested Canadian Chaga after hearing about all of the incredible health benefits it offers. Your next question may be, "Which grind of Chaga do I choose?"

 We're here to answer that question today to help you make the best choice!

Ultimately, deciding between Chaga Chunks, Nuggets, Tea Cut, or Powder depends on personal preference. Each grind will offer a delicious cup of Chaga tea, but one particular grind may be more suitable for your lifestyle than another. Here is a guide to help you decide:

Quick Note-  traditionally, Chaga tea is made by steeping the Chaga for more than an hour. While all of our grinds can accommodate this traditional method of making Chaga tea, here are some unique methods to each grind that we recommend.

Chaga Powder

Size: Fine ground powder.
Ideal Method of Preparation: Chaga powder is the most rapid Chaga tea solution. It can be added to a disposable tea bag and steeped for 5-10 minutes for a single cup of tea. We recommend Chaga Powder if you’ve never tried Chaga tea before.
Cook Time: If simmered in large pot on the stove, we recommend simmering Chaga powder for up to 1 hour for a rich, bold tasting tea. Simply strain and discard the Chaga, then enjoy! 
Reusability: Our Chaga Powder cannot be reused. 

Chaga Tea Cut 

Size: Coarse ground powder. 
Ideal Method of Preparation: This grind was designed for ease of use with fine mesh strainers, tea bags, and tea infusers to enjoy on its own or combined with other flavours. 
Cook Time: If simmered in large pot on the stove, we recommend simmering Chaga Tea Cut for up to 1 hour for a rich, bold tasting tea. Simply strain and discard the Chaga, then enjoy! 
Reusability: Our Tea Cut Chaga cannot be reused.

Chaga Nuggets

Size: Chaga Nuggets are approximately half the size of Chaga Chunks.
Ideal Method of Preparation: Chaga Nuggets are a great size to use in tea infusers as they will not go through any fine mesh.
Cook Time: If simmered in a large pot on the stove, we recommend simmering Chaga Nuggets for up to 1 to 3 hours.
Reusability: Used Chaga Nuggets can be reused up to 2 times.

Chaga Chunks

Size: Chaga Chunks are roughly 1 inch in size. 
Ideal Method of Preparation: The most traditional grind of Chaga, this Chaga is ideal for the mushroom forager and classic Chaga tea drinker. Chaga chunks are excellent for large batches of Chaga tea.There’s a tradition that’s well loved of creating a week’s worth of tea at a time with Chaga chunks.
Cook Time: If simmered in a large pot on the stove, we recommend simmering Chaga Chunks for 3 hours or more. 
Reusability: Used Chaga Chunks can be reused up to 3 times. This grind will yield the highest quantity of tea.

In order to reuse the Chaga Nuggets or Chunks, simply strain the tea then freeze the Chaga in a reusable container until you are ready to use it again.

Please note, regardless of how you prepare it– Chaga tea can last up to 10 days in the fridge. Looking for more ways to use your Chaga tea? Consider freezing it in ice cubes trays! They can easily be added to blended beverages such as smoothies or iced coffee and tea drinks.

FAQs about Chaga Tea 

What does Chaga tea taste like?
Chaga tea has a unique, strong, smooth flavour—sometimes compared to a medium roast coffee or a black tea, with soft notes of vanilla. Chaga is very versatile and tastes great with a wide variety of ingredients! 

Can I mix Chaga teas?
Yes! You can mix Chaga with other teas to create a more enjoyable flavour. We suggest mixing it with stronger brewed teas and to avoid boiling the Chaga as to not destroy its health benefits. We recommend it with chai or black tea, or a more delicate white or green tea.

How much Chaga tea should I drink in a day?
We recommend 1-2 cups for adults per day. 

Can I drink Chaga tea on an empty stomach?
Yes! Chaga tea is gentle on the stomach and can be consumed on an empty stomach. 

Can you add milk/honey/sugar/lemon to Chaga tea? 
You can add your preferred tea add-ins to your cup of Chaga tea. We recommend maple syrup to add a touch of sweetness and cinnamon to enhance the flavour.

Does Chaga Tea have caffeine? When is the best time to consume Chaga tea? 
No, Chaga does not have caffeine. Chaga is unlikely to keep you awake because it’s considered an adaptogenic mushroom. Meaning, you can consume Chaga tea as you’d like - morning or night. With its stress-reducing properties, Chaga can help you get a deep, restorative sleep so you’re well-rested for the day ahead.

On the other hand, Chaga makes a great alternative for coffee or black tea for those trying to reduce or eliminate caffeine intake. Chaga won’t give you a sudden energy jolt like caffeine and certainly won’t cause any jitters. Chaga promotes balanced energy throughout the day rather than jitters and crashes.

Can I use the Chaga powder in Baking?
Chaga should not be consumed raw and must be simmered and extracted to get the medicinal benefits. We do not recommend using the powder for baking or decorating as your body cannot digest Chaga in its raw form. You will simply be consuming fibre without all the medicinal compounds that need to be extracted with hot water. However, the tea can be used in some preparations. We recommend simmering the Chaga, not boiling it, so it does not lose any nutrients. If you’d like to use the tea in baked goods, make a concentrated tea mixture and add it to your recipe. It works beautifully in baked goods such as coffee cake and oatmeal cookies. 

Additional Chaga tea questions? Check our FAQ page! Still don’t see it answered? Send us an ask on our contact page, our Facebook (@foragehyperfoods) or on Instagram (@mushrooms) and we’ll add it to our list! 

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