As functional mushrooms become increasingly popular, more people are seeking innovative ways to consume these powerful fungi. Sipping mushroom tea has emerged as one of the trendiest (and oldest!) methods for taking in this superfood.

But how much water do you need for mushroom tea, and how can you tell if the mushrooms you use will work in your cup of brew? For answers on these and related matters, we enlisted registered dietitian nutritionist Bianca Tamburello of Functional Foods Nutrition Consulting Services as our source. She explained that although drinking tea with mushroom powder provides some health benefits, making your own mushroom tea at home is by far the most powerful way of experiencing these herbs’ healthful properties.

For those unfamiliar with making mushroom tea, the process can be relatively straightforward. Simply simmer chaga chunks or powder in water to extract its many health benefits – for instance reishi mushroom extract and lion’s mane mushrooms have been known to enhance cognitive performance while turkey tail and cordyceps mushrooms may help decrease blood pressure.

Mushroom tea can be an integral component of any healthy wellness regime, aiding digestion, strengthening immunity and increasing energy or stamina depending on which species of mushroom is chosen and prepared. Yet many consumers remain unaware of how to make mushroom tea and its many health benefits; many may hesitate to try it due to a lack of knowledge regarding this form of beverage preparation.

Medicinal mushrooms such as chaga, reishi, turkey tail, lion’s mane and cordyceps have long been used in traditional medicine due to their powerful healing properties. Packed full of vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds that boost immunity, reduce inflammation, promote mental clarity, protect against cancer and more; medicinal mushrooms offer powerful remedies.

Mushrooms are an excellent natural source of beta-glucans, which have been associated with immune support and cardiovascular wellness. Furthermore, mushrooms contain antioxidants to fight free radicals that contribute to premature aging and disease in the body; furthermore they may reduce certain cancer risks while simultaneously decreasing stress-induced effects.

Mushroom teas offer numerous health benefits and make a delicious alternative to coffee and black tea, including reduced caffeine levels (ranging from zero to low amounts) which may benefit those trying to reduce or avoid their caffeine consumption altogether.

While mushroom teas can be purchased at health food stores or online, making your own is simple and delicious! Use this simple recipe for delicious homemade chaga tea! Bravo Tea offers its range of mushroom teas at multiple Sprouts Farmers Market locations and Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores as well as independent health food stores across the US – use their store locator tool to locate one near you!