How to Make Chaga Coffee: A Simple Guide

Making Chaga Coffee: The Perfect Alternative to Caffeine

Although the Chaga mushroom really doesn’t look like much, throughout humanity, it’s certainly had a variety of uses. 

Historically recorded for medicinal purposes, used as skincare, a potent fabric dye, fire starting, smoking, a ritualistic cleansing tool, soap making, and food preservation.

At some point, I will write about each of these individual uses for the Chaga mushroom, but for today, I’m going to share with you a simple recipe for a rich and comforting beverage.

Esteemed for its potent antioxidant properties and immune-boosting effects, the Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) has been a staple in traditional Siberian, Chinese, and North European folk medicine for centuries. 

Among the myriad ways to enjoy Chaga, brewing it into a warm, creamy drink is perhaps the most soothing. Speaking of which, for the purpose of this article, I will call this beverage a coffee. Sometimes I call it tea. Occasionally, I will label it as a hot mocktail.

Purely based on the fact that they are both visually similar; hot chaga mushroom beverage and a creamy rich coffee, I will call this Chaga Coffee. 

Now that the appropriate label has been explained. You might wonder why bother making Chaga Coffee at home in the first place. 

Personally, my answer is to enjoy a caffeine-free drink without the need to swallow capsules and still get your superfood boost. 

An all-around triple-win solution!

Step 1: Source Your Chaga

Quality matters. Opt for wild or organic harvested Chaga chunks some properly extracted Chaga powder extract. 

If you are using a store-bought Chaga extract, be sure that your product is dually extracted for maximum bioavailability. 

If you are harvesting your own, wild Chaga is predominantly found on birch trees in cold climates. However, sustainability is key—ensure your source practices ethical harvesting to protect these precious ecosystems.

Step 2: Prepare Your Chaga

If you’re using a Chaga powder extract, measuring is simple. You’ll need about 1 teaspoon of powder ( between 4 and 6 capsules) per cup of water.

Dosage can be adjusted according to personal taste and desired potency.

If you’re starting with chunks, use a knife to carefully break the Chaga into smaller, 1-inch pieces. This size is ideal for extracting the nutrients effectively.

Step 3: Adding Hot Water

Bring your spring water to a boil then pour into your mug with Chaga powder.

If using freshly harvested Chaga from the forest add the chunks of Chaga to the boiling water, then reduce the heat to a simmer. The longer you simmer, the more pronounced the flavor.

Step 5: Customize Your Cup

Chaga Coffee is very versatile.  

I love to add some cinnamon and vanilla to it all, rounds off the flavors perfectly. Other delicious flavors to consider are licorice, anis seed, and/or raw cacao.

Milk or a plant-based alternative can transform it into a creamy latte. 

My personal favorite is to use coconut milk rather than conventional milk alternatives.

Sweetens beautifully with honey, maple syrup, or coconut blossom sugar. 

Every once in a while, I add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra flavor and health benefits.

If you want to know more about my thoughts on coconut milk and the benefits of cayenne pepper, let me know in the comments below. 👊

Step 6: Strain and Serve

If using chunks, strain the liquid to remove all solid pieces. 

With powder, there’s no need to strain.

Pour the warm beverage into your favorite mug. You can expect a rich, dark color and a mild, earthy taste.

Step 7: Reuse Your Chaga

Only if you are using freshly harvested Chaga, keep in mind that it can be reused for multiple batches until it starts to lose its potency and color. 

After each use, dry the chunks and store them in a cool, dry place.

Variations On The Theme

Functional mushroom powders are so very versatile. 

You can easily Chaga powder to your morning coffee for a homemade chai-like drink. 

With spring around the corner, Chaga coffee can be served cold or added to chia pots soaking overnight.

I love adding mushroom extract powder like Chaga, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Reishi to foods like homemade granola, cakes, protein bars, and yes, morning smoothies.

The only thing more fun than discovering how delicious Chage extract powder is is finding a new recipe for it.

The Final Sip

We can say for sure that Chaga has been used since the dawn of time. Do we yet understand all the benefits of this humble functional mushroom? No, not yet.

But we do have some suspicions as to the potential benefits, not to mention that it happens to be delicious. So why not replace those coffee jitters with some nourishing, rich, and creamy Chaga coffee?

Remember, it’s always wise to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating any new supplement into your routine, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking medication. 

Now, grab your mug and treat yourself to some Chaga mushroom goodness. 

You can get some highly bio-available dually extracted high potency Chaga here.

Use between 4-6 capsules per mug, add your favorite additional flavors, and enjoy this deliciously comforting drink. You can even watch me make a cup here!

P.S. You can adapt this recipe and use any of our other mushroom powders like Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi, or the Mushroom Essential Complex blend.

Let me know in the comments how you’ve been using the uncapped mushroom powders as part of your daily diet.

As always, 

Shine Bright. Do good. Flow strong.

Asha ✨