Sarah Brown
Mushroom tea is an infusion of mushrooms in water, made using edible or medicinal mushrooms, or psychedelic mushrooms. The use of psilocybin mushrooms is illegal in most jurisdictions and can lead to hallucinations, anxiety, and even psychosis. However, when used safely and legally, they can have profound effects on the body and mind, altering perception, mood, thought patterns, and sensory experiences. Medicinal mushrooms such as Lion's Mane are used to protect brain health and are popular in traditional medicine. Chaga mushrooms are also used to boost the immune system and are packed with antioxidants. To make mushroom tea, bring two cups of filtered water to a boil and use two to three grams of dried mushroom or one to two teaspoons of mushroom powder. Allow the water to cool naturally during the steeping process, and add honey, maple syrup, cinnamon, or ginger to improve the flavor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom types | Lion's Mane, Maitake, Chaga, Turkey Tail, Reishi, Lingzhi, Oyster, Scaly Hedgehog, Shiitake, Psilocybe cubensis |
| Health benefits | Protect brain health, reduce pain and discomfort, boost immune system health, packed with antioxidants, treat digestive problems, heart disease, and cancer |
| Water type | Filtered water, non-chlorinated |
| Water temperature | Boiling water |
| Water quantity | 2 cups of water for every 2-3 grams of dried mushroom or 1-2 teaspoons of mushroom powder |
| Mushroom preparation | Grind dried mushrooms into small pieces or powder |
| Steep time | 5-15 minutes for powdered extracts, 15-20 minutes for soft mushrooms, 1-2 hours or more for woody mushrooms |
| Reheating | Avoid bringing stored tea to a full boil, gently reheat instead |
| Add-ons | Honey, maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, lemon, or blend with other teas |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right mushrooms
Type of Mushrooms
The two main types of mushrooms used for tea are edible/medicinal mushrooms and psychedelic mushrooms. Edible mushrooms like Lion's Mane, Maitake, Chaga, and Cordyceps are known for their health benefits and are commonly used in traditional medicine. Lion's Mane, for example, is popular for protecting brain health and has a sweet and savoury flavour. Maitake mushrooms, on the other hand, are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and have a fruity, earthy, and spicy flavour profile. Chaga mushrooms, commonly used in Russia, boost the immune system and are packed with antioxidants.
On the other hand, psychedelic mushrooms like Psilocybe cubensis contain mind-altering compounds such as psilocybin and psilocin, which can induce hallucinations and alter perception. Psilocybin mushrooms are often used for recreational purposes but can also be consumed as tea. However, it is important to note that the use of these mushrooms may be illegal in certain jurisdictions, and consuming them can lead to significant risks and side effects.
Form of Mushrooms
Mushrooms for tea can come in various forms, including whole dried pieces, ground powder, or extracts. Whole dried mushrooms need to be broken down into smaller pieces or ground into a fine powder to increase the surface area for extraction. Powdered mushrooms or extracts are more convenient and can be easily measured and added to boiling water without additional preparation.
Quality and Storage
When choosing mushrooms for tea, it is important to select those that have been properly dried and stored. Fresh mushrooms are not typically used for medicinal teas, as the beneficial compounds become more concentrated through proper drying. Additionally, ensure that the mushrooms are of good quality and have been sourced or purchased from a reputable supplier.
In conclusion, when choosing the right mushrooms for tea, consider the desired effects, flavour profiles, and the form of mushrooms that best suit your needs and preferences. Always exercise caution and consume mushroom tea responsibly, especially when using psychedelic varieties.
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Preparing the mushrooms
For optimal results, use mushrooms that have been properly dried and stored. Bring your filtered water to a boil in a small pot or kettle. The quality of the water matters—chlorinated tap water can affect both the flavour and the beneficial properties of your mushroom tea. Use approximately 2 cups of water for every 2-3 grams of dried mushroom or 1-2 teaspoons of mushroom powder.
Once the water reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. The temperature of the water is important: boiled water helps break down the mushrooms' cell walls and extract the beneficial compounds. Add the mushrooms to the boiling water and steep for as long as you like, sampling small sips along the way. Note that the steeping time varies by mushroom type: powders (5-15 minutes), sliced mushrooms (15-30 minutes), and whole pieces like reishi (up to 2 hours). Slightly acidic water (from adding a small amount of lemon juice) can help extract certain compounds more effectively, particularly from mushrooms like chaga.
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Boiling the water
The temperature of the water is crucial. Boiled water helps break down the mushrooms' cell walls and extract the beneficial compounds. A full boil is ideal for most mushroom teas as it helps break down the chitin in the mushroom cell walls, releasing the beneficial compounds.
Once the water reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Allow the water to cool naturally during the steeping process, as some compounds may degrade with prolonged high heat. The steeping time varies depending on the type of mushroom and its consistency. Powdered extracts generally need 5-15 minutes to fully dissolve, while sliced mushrooms require 20-30 minutes, and whole pieces like reishi can take up to 2 hours.
If you are using whole dried mushrooms, you will need to break them down into smaller pieces to increase the surface area for extraction. A coffee grinder can be used to turn them into a fine powder, or you can chop them into small pieces. For powdered extracts, simply measure out the recommended amount.
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Combining the mushrooms and water
Mushroom tea is an infusion of mushrooms in water. It is popular in Russia and Baltic countries, where it is used to treat digestive problems, heart disease, and cancer.
When preparing mushroom tea, it is important to use filtered water, as chlorinated tap water can affect the flavour and beneficial properties of the tea. Bring the water to a boil in a small pot or kettle. The amount of water used depends on the quantity of tea being prepared and the type of mushrooms being used. As a general guideline, use approximately 2 cups of water for every 2-3 grams of dried mushroom or 1-2 teaspoons of mushroom powder.
Once the water reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. This temperature is important, as boiled water helps break down the mushrooms' cell walls and extract the beneficial compounds.
When using whole dried mushrooms, it is recommended to break them down into smaller pieces or a fine powder to increase the surface area for extraction. This can be done using a coffee grinder or by chopping the mushrooms into small pieces. If using mushroom powder or extracts, this step can be skipped.
Now, simply add the mushrooms to the boiling water. The steeping time will vary depending on the type of mushroom and form (powder, sliced, or whole). For example, powdered extracts generally need 5-15 minutes to fully dissolve, while sliced mushrooms may require 20-30 minutes, and whole pieces like reishi can steep for up to 2 hours.
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Reheating and storing
When it comes to reheating and storing mushroom tea, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it is recommended to gently reheat stored tea rather than bringing it to a full boil, as doing so might degrade some compounds in the tea. If you're travelling, you can pre-measure mushroom powders into small containers or tea bags for easy preparation on the go.
Mushroom tea can be a part of your daily routine, and there are various ways to incorporate it into your day. For instance, you can start your morning with a cup of lion's mane or cordyceps tea to boost mental clarity and energy. In the afternoon, opt for chaga or turkey tail tea instead of caffeine to avoid disrupting your sleep cycle. In the evening, create a calming bedtime ritual by sipping on reishi tea about an hour before sleep.
The steeping time for mushroom tea depends on the type of mushroom used. Powdered extracts typically require 5-15 minutes, while sliced mushrooms need 20-30 minutes. Woody mushrooms, like reishi and chaga, benefit from longer extraction times, sometimes up to 2 hours or more.
To enhance the extraction of beneficial compounds, it is recommended to use filtered water and bring it to a full boil initially. The water temperature is crucial, as boiled water helps break down the mushrooms' cell walls. However, during the steeping process, allow the water to cool naturally instead of maintaining a rolling boil, as prolonged high heat can degrade certain compounds. Slightly acidic water, achieved by adding a small amount of lemon juice, can aid in extracting specific compounds, especially from mushrooms like chaga.
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Frequently asked questions
First, decide which mushrooms to use. You can use whole dried mushrooms, mushroom powder, or fresh mushrooms. If you're using whole dried mushrooms, grind them into a fine powder or chop them into small pieces. Then, bring your filtered water to a boil in a small pot or kettle. For every 2-3 grams of dried mushroom, use 2 cups of water. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add the mushrooms, reduce the heat, and simmer. Simmering time varies by mushroom type: powders (10-15 mins), sliced mushrooms (20-30 mins), whole pieces like reishi (up to 2 hours). Finally, use a fine-mesh strainer to remove mushroom pieces.
There are several different mushrooms that can be used to make tea. Chaga mushrooms are commonly used in Russia and are known to boost immune system health and are packed with antioxidants. Lion's Mane is used to protect brain health and is popular in traditional medicine. Maitake mushrooms are known to have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain and discomfort.
Once mushroom tea has been ingested, it can take anywhere between 20 to 40 minutes for its effects to kick in. After setting in, the effects of the tea can last up to 6 hours, usually lessening in intensity over time.
