What is Chaga?

Inonotus obliquus is a type of mushroom found in northern climates. On the outside, it looks like a large, irregular, black mass that grows on birch trees, though the inside has a beautiful burnt orange color.

In Western circles, it is more commonly known as Chaga, where it is praised for a variety of health benefits. Work is still being done to confirm these benefits, though claims have been made towards its usefulness in boosting the immune system, battling inflammation, and lowering blood sugar and cholesterol.

Chaga Chai pairs this unique mushroom with the bright flavor of rooibos, a plant found in South Africa, and warm, rich Chai spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom.

Preparation and Taste

Now, if you're anything like me (i.e. not a mushroom fan), the idea of having mushroom shavings in your teapot can sound a little off-putting to say the least.

However, rest assured from a fellow mushroom skeptic, this tea can still be a treat even if you shy away from the shiitakes and tremble at truffles (You might even say this tea is a fun-guy- ba dum tish!).

The flavor profile for Chaga Chai is both complex and harmonic. The earthiness of the mushrooms is a relatively small and mellow but grounding note, while the brightness of the rooibos brings out some of the warmer aspects of the Chai spices. Coconut helps keep the spices from getting out of hand, resulting in a tea that flawlessly combines earthiness, brightness, and spice without letting any one of them overpower the other.

To create this magical cup of wonder, steep at 212F for 7 minutes. I recommend using a steeper that has plenty of room for the mushroom and other ingredients to expand and breathe, such as paper filters or other teaware for best effect. I enjoyed mine without any added ingredients, though you could easily add honey or even turn it into a chai latte with some extra milk and sugar.

Flavor Pairings

Given the strength of the flavors in Chaga Chai, it's probably best to avoid lighter foods that might be overwhelmed by the intense flavors, like certain fruits, or strong flavors that might fight with the flavors of the tea, like anything overly sweet.

On the flip side, pairing this tea with flavors that are too similar, like the beefiness of meat or other mushroom dishes, may not provide enough contrast for the tea to be fully appreciated. To that end, I recommend pairing this tea with contrasting but similar flavors, perhaps like pork or certain kinds of fish, or hearty root vegetables.

Since Chai is also a great flavor for fall and winter, consider pairing it with some of your favorite recipes for those seasons, or even try it in small amounts in soups or broths to add some brightness, earthiness, and spice.

Recipes

Given that this tea is so new, we don't currently have any recipes for it on TeaChef yet.

That being said, as this is a Chai tea, you could easily adapt any of our Chai tea recipes to have a slight twist on the taste! Put a spin on the classic Chai Masala or go wild all year round with a Chai Latte Popsicle! You could also forge a new path and make something new. Just make sure to share it on our TeaChef site once you've mastered your recipe!

Similar Teas

If you're not sure you want to try mushroom tea just yet, why not take a step towards it by trying out one of our other Chai options?

In particular, our Cinnamon Rooibos Chai and Raja Oolong Chai will have similar profiles with strong cinnamon-forward flavors.

Want something earthy? Try a Pu Erh.

Just want the brightness or Rooibos? We've got you covered.

We hope you've enjoyed this overview of our new Chaga Chai. We'd love if you'd give it a try, and once you do, make sure to let us know what you think by sharing a review on our site or letting us know on social @adagioteas. Enjoy!