Chaga Mushroom in Coffee

Our As Above – So Below mushroom coffee contains both 618 mg of chaga mushrooms and 616 mg of lion's mane mushrooms… but what exactly is chaga? If you’re in an area with indie coffee shops, you’ve likely had chaga lattes and discovered 1) they’re delicious and 2) you felt pretty good afterwards.

What are Chaga Mushrooms?

Chaga is a fungus (yeah, we know) that grows on birch trees. It’s often used as a medicinal mushroom and has been called “the King of Mushrooms” by some Eastern cultures. It’s also been used for centuries as a tonic to boost energy and vitality, reduce anxiety, and promote longevity. In addition to its health benefits, chaga also makes an excellent coffee substitute because it contains no caffeine. (Note, our coffee blend does have caffeine.)

What Antioxidants Do Chaga Mushrooms Have?

Chaga mushrooms are known for their high antioxidant content, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Here’s a few of the antioxidants found in chaga mushrooms, and a brief description of what they may do:

🍄 Superoxide Dismutase (SOD): This enzyme helps to neutralize harmful oxygen molecules that can cause damage to cells.

🍄 Melanin: This pigment is responsible for the dark color of chaga mushrooms, and it also has antioxidant properties.

🍄 Beta-Glucans: These are a type of dietary fiber that have been shown to have immune-boosting and antioxidant effects.

🍄 Ergosterol: This compound is converted to vitamin D when exposed to UV light, and it has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

🍄 Triterpenes: These are a type of plant compound that have been shown to have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting effects.

Overall, these antioxidants can work together to help protect cells from damage and support the body's overall health and well-being.

What are Chaga Coffee Benefits?

Chaga coffee is made by blending the chaga mushroom and roasted Arabica beans together. When combined with roasted beans, they create a tasty beverage with potential cognitive benefits. 

Don’t worry, there aren’t chunks of actual mushroom in our coffee. It’s blended into a protein powder so it mixes easily with ground coffee.

Some potential chaga mushroom coffee benefits may include:

• Antioxidant support: Chaga mushrooms are a rich source of antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and are are beneficial for your body's overall well-being. Antioxidants in general can help protect your body against disease, aging, cell damage and other health issues. There's also research showing that these antioxidants can help reduce inflammation throughout your body.
• Immune support: Some studies have suggested that chaga mushrooms may have immune-boosting properties.
• Potential anti-inflammatory effects: Some research has suggested that chaga mushrooms may have anti-inflammatory effects.
• Energy boost: Like regular coffee, chaga mushroom coffee may provide a boost of energy due to the caffeine content.
• Cognitive Function: The caffeine content of chaga coffee can potentially improve cognitive function.

When Is the Best Time to Drink Coffee With Chaga?

You can drink it whenever you want to, however for the strongest chaga coffee benefits, consumer right before breakfast (the perfect time to sit for a spell and focus on your intentions), or immediately after a walk or workout sesh.

This will help you gain max energy from all those antioxidants while also giving them plenty of time to work their magic on your body and mind as well.

Foraging for Chaga Mushrooms vs Our Mushroom Coffee Blend

Chaga coffee is a great way to get the health benefits of the chaga mushroom without having to forage for it yourself or figure out how to prepare it. Our mushroom coffee blend is easy to make and tastes delish.

If you insist on foraging and feel ingredients are more powerful when you source them, the chaga mushroom is very durable and can be dried out and re-hydrated at any time. This makes it easy to store until you’re ready to use it. Once you have your chaga mushrooms, making them into coffee is easy. You just grind up the dried pieces of fungus into a fine powder, mix that with some finely ground coffee beans, then brew!

We take the foraging process out of it, so you can enjoy chaga coffee benefits without everything else that goes into it.

*Please note, none of this is medical advice and should not be viewed as such. While mushrooms are natural, it’s a fantastic idea to discuss any new supplements with your health care provider to make sure it’s OK for use.