If you've been with us here at Unrest Coffee for any length of time then you've heard us talk about chaga. Our Blue Hill Blend features medium roasted coffee from Papua New Guinea and locally harvest chaga from Fort Kent, Maine.
So what the heck is chaga?!
Well technically chaga is a mushroom but not the ones you're thinking of. They grow primarily on birch trees in the Northeast. When exposed to sunlight it develops a black exterior, but inside is a bright orange with a wood like texture.
The mushroom has a hard texture that can be dried, powdered, and used to make Chaga tea, extracts, or tinctures. We also sell chaga in a coarse powder so you can add it to whatever you want! We recommend adding it to your coffee grounds right before brewing, or steep it for tea.
Another great idea is to brew some chaga tea and freeze it into ice cubes. Then you can add it to smoothies, iced coffee, or your favorite iced tea. The possibilities are endless!
So why drink chaga?
Chaga has long been known as a super food. It has great anti-inflammatory properties. We have customers who swear by it to help with the aches and pains of an active lifestyle. According to MedicalNewsToday.com it's packed full of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals including:
- B-complex vitamins
- Vitamin D
- Potassium
- Rubidium
- Cesium
- Amino acids
- Fiber
- Copper
- Selenium
- Zinc
- Iron
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Calcium
Other findings have shown it's rich in antioxidants. Others say it can slow the aging process, lower cholesterol, and even fight cancer cells. A 2010 study found that chaga could slow the growth of lung, breast, and cervical cancer cells in a petri dish. The same study also found that chaga could slow the growth of tumors in mice.
Obviously the crew here at Unrest Coffee Company aren't professionally trained Doctors. We believe chaga has many profound health benefits, but we recommend you consult a medical professional before consuming chaga to treat anything specific.
