Blog
How to Make Maitake Mushroom Tea
A hot cup of mushroom tea can add an excellent daily routine addition and is an easy way to gain all of the essential vitamins and nutrients your body requires. There are two approaches you can take when creating mushroom tea; using whole mushrooms or powder extract. Each approach offers significant advantages; for example when steeping whole mushrooms for longer, more flavorings and herbal blends can be added for increased variety and appeal; using powder extract allows for quick preparation in less time, with straining out any solids that remain.
Making mushroom tea is one of the easiest and most effective ways to harness these potency fungi known for boosting immunity. By breaking down its chitin with boiling water heat, its therapeutic compounds are released and readily absorbed by your body – not only providing antioxidant protection, but also helping reduce inflammation which often contributes to common ailments.
Brewing mushroom tea is an easy process that can be performed using nearly any hot beverage, sweetened with various ingredients for different flavors and added health benefits. While green tea is often preferred as its base ingredient, other herbal varieties such as chamomile, peppermint and jasmine teas may be added for additional flavors or benefits – even other herbs like licorice root, chai spices or ginger can add even greater spice!
Mushrooms contain polysaccharides called beta-glucans that can improve inflammation reduction and insulin sensitivity in humans. Research has also demonstrated how certain species, like maitake, can lower blood sugar levels and improve diabetic mice glycemic control by blocking enzymes that break down carbohydrates – helping lower their levels and prevent complications (Fraction SX of Maitake Fruiting Bodies Improves Glucose Tolerance in Diabetic Mice).
No matter whether using whole mushrooms or extract powder, the process for creating mushroom tea remains the same. Bring water to boil in a pot before turning off the heat, add mushrooms, let steep for 10 to 15 minutes and then add green tea leaves before straining out both leaves and mushroom pieces before serving your tea. It should have a slightly bitter flavor which can be offset with honey or natural sweeteners while spiced up by adding cinnamon, peppermint or fennel seed as desired; add fresh ingredients such as an orange slice for additional citrus taste or simply garnish it all for maximum citrus goodness!