Emma Wilson
Reishi mushroom tea is a popular beverage with several health benefits, including boosting immunity and improving overall health. The tea has been consumed for years, and its preparation involves creating a mushroom extract or adding a few drops of a reishi tincture to brewed tea. The amount of water used depends on the desired number of tea cups, and the tea can be refrigerated for later consumption. The taste is bitter, and sweeteners or other herbs can be added to enhance it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of water | Depends on how many cups of tea you want to make. Typically, 4-5 cups of water are used for every 3-5 grams of reishi powder. |
| Type of water container | Stainless steel or ceramic pot. Avoid using aluminum due to the prolonged boiling process. |
| Heat level | Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. |
| Cooking time | Simmer for 2 hours or until the mixture has reduced by half. For a stronger flavor, boil for longer and keep adding water as it evaporates. |
| Reishi mushroom form | Powder, slices, or tincture. |
| Reishi mushroom amount | 3-5 grams of reishi mushroom powder is recommended. 3 grams is approximately one heaping tablespoon of broken or ground reishi pieces. |
| Additional ingredients | Honey, ginger, fruit juice, green tea, or other herbs like licorice root can be added to improve the bitter taste. |
| Storage | The tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. |
| Health benefits | Boosts immunity, improves gut health, supports metabolism, and has anti-inflammatory effects when consumed as an alcoholic extract. |
| Precautions | Do not consume if you are on blood-thinning medications as it may increase bleeding time. |
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What You'll Learn
Preparation: Use 3-5g of powder per 4-5 cups of water
Reishi mushroom tea is known for its health benefits, but it has a bitter taste. To prepare 4-5 cups of tea, you will need 3-5 grams of reishi mushroom powder. If you don't have a scale, 3 grams is about one heaping tablespoon of broken or ground reishi pieces.
First, bring the water to a boil in a stainless steel or ceramic pot. Do not use aluminium for such a prolonged boiling process, as it is neither a perfect absorber nor a reflector of heat.
Once the water is boiling, add the reishi powder and let it boil for another half an hour. If you prefer a stronger flavour, you can let it boil for longer, but remember to keep adding more water as it evaporates.
After boiling, reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for another 2 hours. Remove from the heat, strain, and set aside. Allow the tea to cool before drinking, as it will be very hot. You can store any leftover tea in the refrigerator for a few days.
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Boiling: Avoid aluminium, boil for 1-2 hours
Reishi mushroom tea is known for its health benefits, but it has a bitter taste. To make it, you should avoid using an aluminium container as the process requires heating for long periods, and aluminium is neither a good absorber nor a reflector of heat.
You can use a stainless steel or ceramic pot to boil the water. The amount of water you use depends on how many cups of tea you want to make. A standard recommendation is 4–5 cups of water for every 3–5 grams of reishi mushroom powder. If you don't have a scale, 3 grams is about one heaping tablespoon of broken or ground reishi pieces.
Once the water is boiling, add the mushroom pieces and reduce the heat to a simmer for 1-2 hours. If you prefer a stronger flavour, you can let it boil for longer, but keep adding more water as it evaporates.
After boiling, remove the tea from the heat and strain it. Allow the liquid to cool before drinking, as it will be very hot. You can store your tea in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
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Simmering: Reduce heat, simmer for 30 mins to 2 hours
Once the water is boiling, add your reishi powder or slices. If you're using powder, about 3 grams (one heaping tablespoon) is a good amount for one cup of tea. If you're using slices, you can add 3 to 5 grams of mushroom slices per cup of water. If you prefer a stronger flavour, you can add more mushroom slices, but make sure to keep adding water as it evaporates.
After adding the mushrooms, reduce the heat so that the mixture simmers gently without boiling. Let it simmer for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours. The longer it simmers, the more flavour and mushroom goodness will infuse into the water.
While the tea simmers, you can prepare your tea cup or mug. If you plan to drink the tea right away, a pre-warmed cup can keep the tea warmer for longer. You can warm your cup by rinsing it with hot water or placing it on a warming plate.
If you want to sweeten your tea, you can prepare your sweetener of choice during this time. Reishi mushroom tea is known for its bitter taste, so you may want to add honey, ginger, or another natural sweetener to take the edge off. However, some people prefer to drink it unsweetened or add other herbs like licorice root.
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Sweeteners: Honey, ginger, juice, or herbs can reduce bitterness
Reishi mushroom tea has a distinct flavour profile that can be described as woody, earthy, and slightly bitter. The bitterness can be attributed to the triterpene content in the fruiting bodies of the mushroom, which may have evolved to discourage animals from consuming it. While some detect a hint of sweetness underneath the bitterness, the strong flavour can be a challenge for those who are less accustomed to it.
To reduce the bitterness, you can add sweeteners such as honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup. Honey is a natural sweetener that can help balance the bitterness and create a more palatable beverage. Agave nectar, a natural sweetener derived from the agave plant, can also be used to sweeten the tea and make it more enjoyable. Additionally, maple syrup can add a touch of sweetness to counteract the bitterness.
Ginger is another ingredient that can be used to reduce bitterness and enhance the flavour of Reishi mushroom tea. Fresh ginger slices or ginger cloves can be steeped in the tea, adding a spicy and earthy dimension to the flavour profile. Not only does ginger complement the earthiness of the tea, but it also provides additional health benefits, making it a popular choice for those seeking a functional beverage.
Fruit juice can also be added to Reishi mushroom tea to reduce bitterness and create a more palatable drink. A squeeze of lemon or orange juice can brighten the flavour profile, making it more appealing to those who find the bitterness off-putting. Additionally, blending the Reishi mushroom powder with fruits like bananas or berries in a smoothie can effectively mask the bitterness while providing a nutritious boost.
Herbs can also be used to reduce the bitterness of Reishi mushroom tea. Cinnamon, for example, can be sprinkled on top of the tea to add a spicy-sweet dimension to the flavour profile. Vanilla is another herb that can be added to the tea to balance the bitterness and create a more complex and appealing beverage.
While sweeteners, juices, and herbs can help reduce the bitterness of Reishi mushroom tea, it is important to use them in moderation to avoid overpowering the unique flavour of the mushrooms. Experimenting with different ingredients and combinations can help you find the perfect balance of flavours that suits your personal preference.
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Storage: Refrigerate for up to two weeks
Once you've brewed your reishi mushroom tea, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. This allows you to make larger batches and store them, so you don't have to go through the brewing process every time you want a cup.
It's important to note that the tea should be allowed to cool to room temperature before being refrigerated. This ensures that the liquid is safe to drink and can be stored for an extended period.
When storing, use an airtight container to prevent the tea from absorbing other odours in the refrigerator and to maintain its flavour. Glass or ceramic containers are ideal, as they can be easily cleaned and don't retain odours as much as plastic containers.
Label the container with the date and try to consume the tea within the recommended time frame. Reishi mushroom tea can be bitter, and its flavour may become stronger over time, so it's best consumed fresh.
Additionally, you can also freeze your tea in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container for longer storage. This method allows you to thaw and drink the tea at your convenience while preserving its health benefits.
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Frequently asked questions
Bring water to a boil in a stainless steel or ceramic pot. Add 3-5 grams of reishi powder or slices, and let it boil for half an hour. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2 hours. Remove from the heat, strain, and set aside to cool.
Reishi mushroom tea will keep in the refrigerator for a week or two.
Reishi mushroom tea is an excellent way to consume reishi mushrooms for fast absorption of their health benefits. The tea may help turbo-charge the immune functions of your body and support your metabolism.
Reishi mushroom tea has a bitter taste. To improve the flavour, you can add honey or other natural sweeteners, ginger, fruit juice, or green tea.
