Sarah Brown
Mushroom tea is a beverage made from mushrooms that are steeped in hot water. Various types of mushrooms can be used to make the tea, including Chaga, Lion's Mane, Maitake, and Cordyceps. Chaga mushrooms, for example, are known for their immune-boosting properties and mild flavour, while Lion's Mane is used to protect brain health and has a sweet and savoury flavour profile. Mushroom tea can be prepared using fresh mushrooms or mushroom powder, and it is recommended to steep the mushrooms in boiling water for around 5-20 minutes. However, it's important to note that some mushroom teas, such as those made from magic mushrooms, can induce psychedelic effects and may be illegal in certain regions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 20 minutes |
| Types of mushrooms used | Chaga, Lion's Mane, Maitake, Cordyceps, Magic mushrooms |
| Brewing time | 5-60 minutes |
| Add-ons | Cinnamon stick, maple syrup, ginger slices, lemon juice |
| Health benefits | Boosting immune system health, packed with antioxidants, lower levels of LDL cholesterol, treating digestive ailments, anti-inflammatory properties |
| Risks | Psilocybin is not legalised in the majority of the United States, can cause flashbacks, visual distortion, and a "bad trip" |
| Serving suggestion | Consume within 3-5 days, discard the remaining tea |
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What You'll Learn
- Chaga mushrooms: Black on the outside, vibrant orange inside, with a mild flavour
- Cordyceps mushrooms: Parasitic, growing from the bodies of insects
- Lion's Mane: A luxurious mushroom with a sweet, savoury, meaty flavour
- Maitake mushrooms: Anti-inflammatory, with a fruity, earthy, spicy flavour
- Magic mushrooms: Ground into a powder, added to boiling water, strained, and consumed for their psychedelic effects
Chaga mushrooms: Black on the outside, vibrant orange inside, with a mild flavour
Chaga mushrooms, or Inonotus obliquus, are a type of fungus that grows on birch trees in cold climates. With an outer layer that is black and hard, the inside of the mushroom reveals a soft, vibrant orange core. Chaga mushrooms have been used for centuries as traditional medicine in Russia and other Northern European countries, such as Siberia, as well as by Native Americans. They are believed to have medicinal properties, including boosting immunity and overall health, reducing inflammation, and fighting harmful bacteria and viruses. Chaga mushrooms are also packed with antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Chaga mushroom tea is known for its mild flavour, often described as earthy and slightly sweet or fruity, with a subtle hint of vanilla. The tea can be brewed for long periods without becoming bitter, and it is typically consumed unsweetened. To prepare the tea, the Chaga mushroom needs to be ground into a fine powder, which is then added to a tea infuser and placed in boiling water to steep for around 5 minutes.
Chaga tea is a delicious and healthy beverage that has gained popularity in recent years, commonly served hot or as an iced tea. However, it is important to note that human studies are still needed to confirm the potential health benefits and determine the optimal dosage of Chaga mushroom consumption.
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Cordyceps mushrooms: Parasitic, growing from the bodies of insects
Mushroom tea is a delicious way to consume mushrooms and is simple to brew. Chaga mushrooms, for instance, offer a mild flavor with a slight hint of vanilla and can be brewed for long periods without turning bitter. Chaga mushrooms are also known for their health benefits, including boosting the immune system and reducing LDL cholesterol.
However, one of the most intriguing varieties of mushrooms used for tea is Cordyceps. This genus of ascomycete fungi includes over 260 species worldwide, many of which are parasitic in nature. Cordyceps mushrooms are unique in that they grow from the bodies of insects, such as ants and caterpillars. The spores from Cordyceps plants enter the bodies of their hosts, and the fungus eventually takes over, manipulating their behavior and even causing them to act erratically.
In the case of ants, the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis fungus infects foraging ants through spores that attach to and penetrate their exoskeletons. As the infection progresses, the ant is compelled to leave its nest and descend to a lower height, where it bites into a leaf vein and awaits death. Several days after the ant has died, the fungus sends out a fruiting body through the base of the ant's head, using its corpse as a launchpad for spore dispersal.
Cordyceps mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1,500 years, believed to have various therapeutic benefits. However, it is important to note that there is limited clinical research to support these claims. While Cordyceps mushrooms may have potential health benefits, their parasitic nature and ability to manipulate insect behavior showcase the intriguing and complex dynamics between parasites and their hosts.
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Lion's Mane: A luxurious mushroom with a sweet, savoury, meaty flavour
Lion's Mane mushrooms are renowned for their luxurious flavour and rarity in the wild. With notes of sweet, savoury, and meaty flavours, it's no wonder they are often compared to lobster. This mushroom variety is used to protect brain health and is popular in traditional medicine, particularly in Asia.
To prepare a tea with luxurious Lion's Mane mushrooms, you can follow these steps:
- First, decide how much tea you wish to make. It is recommended to brew only enough that you expect to consume within 3-5 days, as mushroom tea is best enjoyed fresh.
- Next, prepare your Lion's Mane mushrooms. You can use either fresh mushrooms or dried mushroom powder. If using fresh mushrooms, grind them into a fine powder using a coffee grinder.
- Now, it's time to brew your tea. Bring water to a boil and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer (around 212°F). Add one teaspoon of mushroom powder per 6oz cup of water. Alternatively, you can use a tea bag, which typically contains 6 grams of mushroom powder.
- Let your tea steep for at least 5 minutes. If using a tea bag, steeping for 4 to 6 minutes is sufficient. However, if you're brewing a larger batch, you may want to steep for up to 60 minutes to ensure maximum flavour extraction.
- Finally, pour yourself a cup and enjoy! You can add milk, sweetener, or a twist of lemon juice to taste.
With its full-bodied flavour and potential health benefits, Lion's Mane mushroom tea is a delightful and luxurious way to unwind and nourish your body and mind.
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Maitake mushrooms: Anti-inflammatory, with a fruity, earthy, spicy flavour
Maitake mushrooms, or Grifola frondosa, are an edible and medicinal fungus that grows wild in Japan, China, and North America under oak, elm, or maple trees. They have a distinct earthy, fruity, spicy, and umami flavour with a captivating aroma and robust, meat-like texture. They are prized in both traditional Asian medicine and cuisine.
Maitake mushrooms are highly nutritious, with lower fat and higher protein content than your typical mushroom, while also being rich in Vitamin D. They are also a good source of antioxidants, such as fatty acids and polyphenols, which can improve skin health. In addition, they contain anti-inflammatory compounds, which may be useful in cancer care, as well as anticancer, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties.
When it comes to preparing mushroom tea, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to clean and sanitise all tea-making equipment with hot water and detergent to ensure food safety. Secondly, different mushrooms have varying steeping requirements. For example, Chaga mushroom tea can be brewed for long periods without becoming bitter, whereas Camelia Sinensis, a type of tea with tannins, can turn bitter if steeped for too long. Therefore, it is essential to follow specific instructions for each type of mushroom tea. In general, however, mushroom teas should be brewed with water as close to the boiling point as possible, with a gentle simmer, and steeped for around 60 minutes.
Maitake mushrooms, in particular, have a sweet, savoury, and fruity flavour with a meaty essence. They are known for their massive size, sometimes weighing over 100 pounds, and their active ingredient, L-glutamate, which lends a rich savoury flavour known as umami in Japan. When preparing Maitake mushroom tea, it is essential to follow the specific instructions provided, as steeping times and temperatures can vary. However, as a general rule, bringing the water to a gentle simmer and steeping for an extended period is recommended to extract the full flavour and potential health benefits of the mushrooms.
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Magic mushrooms: Ground into a powder, added to boiling water, strained, and consumed for their psychedelic effects
Magic mushrooms are widely known for their psychedelic effects, which are caused by the component psilocybin. Psilocybin is water-soluble, and when made into tea, it can be easier to consume and transmit the effects faster.
To make magic mushroom tea, first, decide on the type of mushroom to use. There are over 200 different types of mushrooms, and each will have varying levels of the active ingredient psilocybin, which creates the psychedelic effects. Some popular types include Chaga, Lion's Mane, and Maitake mushrooms. Chaga mushrooms, for example, are known for their health benefits, including boosting immune system health and reducing LDL cholesterol, and have a mild flavor with a hint of vanilla.
Once you've chosen your mushrooms, grind them into a fine powder using a coffee grinder. Then, add the powder to a pot of boiling water, ensuring the water level is high enough to cover the mushrooms. Let the mixture boil for about 20 minutes, and then strain it through a coffee filter to remove any remaining mushroom particles.
You can adjust the flavor of the tea by adding other ingredients. For example, adding a cinnamon stick or maple syrup can provide a hint of sweetness to counter the typically bitter taste of mushroom tea.
It is important to note that consuming magic mushroom tea can come with risks and side effects. Common side effects include panic attacks, disorientation, anxiety, confusion, paranoia, vomiting, increased heart rate, urinary incontinence, nausea, and high blood pressure. Long-term effects may include flashbacks, visual distortion, and a "bad trip." The effects of magic mushroom tea can vary from person to person, depending on weight, size, health, and familiarity with the substance. It is illegal in most US states, so be sure to check the relevant laws before consuming.
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Frequently asked questions
First, decide which mushrooms to use. Clean and prepare the mushrooms by grinding them into a fine powder or using pre-made tea bags. Add the mushroom powder or tea bags to a tea infuser and place it in boiling water. Allow the tea to steep for 4-6 minutes for tea bags and 5-20 minutes for loose powder.
There are several types of mushrooms used for tea, including Chaga, Lion's Mane, Maitake, and Cordyceps. Chaga mushrooms are known for their health benefits, mild flavour, and versatility in hot and iced tea. Lion's Mane and Maitake mushrooms are popular in traditional medicine and are known for their unique flavours. Cordyceps mushrooms are intriguing due to their parasitic nature.
Brew only enough tea that you expect to consume within 3-5 days. Discard any tea remaining after 5 days.
The taste of mushroom tea depends on the type of mushroom used. Chaga tea has a mild flavour with a slight hint of vanilla and can be consumed unsweetened or with added cinnamon or maple syrup. Lion's Mane tea has a sweet, savoury, and meaty flavour, often compared to lobster. Maitake mushrooms have a fruity, earthy, and spicy flavour with a rich umami taste. Magic mushroom tea is often disliked for its taste and is usually enhanced with other ingredients.
Yes, it's important to be aware of the risks associated with certain types of mushroom tea, such as magic mushroom tea. Magic mushroom tea contains psilocybin and psilocin, which create psychedelic and hallucinogenic effects. It can cause short-term and long-term impacts on the mind and body, such as flashbacks, visual distortion, and a "bad trip." Psilocybin is not considered addictive, but tolerance can build up quickly, leading to potential dependence and psychological effects upon cessation. It is illegal in most US states, so be sure to check the laws in your area before consuming.
