Mushroom tea has quickly become one of the hottest ways to incorporate functional mushrooms into our diets, but what exactly is mushroom tea and how can I make it? What are its advantages and drawbacks?

Mushroom tea is a beverage prepared with hot water infused with the extract of various types of mushrooms. There are various methods for creating mushroom tea and it can be customized by adding ingredients such as ginger, lemon or honey for additional flavoring. Depending on which variety is used, its taste ranges from slightly bitter to earthy or even sweet depending on its source; generally however, mushroom tea’s umami-rich qualities make for a pleasing beverage experience.

Mushroom tea can be made with various varieties, but among the most popular are chaga, reishi, lion’s mane and cordyceps militaris. Each variety boasts its own flavor and benefits – for instance reishi is known to increase immunity function while anti-aging properties; while lion’s mane may help ease anxiety and depression.

While there are various recipes online for mushroom tea, most require dried lion’s mane or reishi mushrooms for use. Dried mushrooms can be easily found at health food stores and provide convenient ways to reap their healthful benefits. Some people, however, prefer fresh or even raw mushrooms as the flavor intensity can often surpass that of dried varieties.

Starting off when making mushroom tea requires briefly cooking either dried or fresh mushrooms to restore their quality and maximize taste. As mushrooms contain mostly water, their quality quickly diminishes when frozen and then thawed; for this reason it’s essential that mushrooms are first briefly cooked prior to being used in other recipes such as mushroom tea.

To do this, use a large pan to accommodate all the mushrooms without overcrowding it. Add just enough water to cover them all before bringing to a boil over high heat and reducing to simmer. This allows them to release their own natural juices while not taking on too much oil from the pan itself.

As mushrooms cook, they’ll gradually lose their slimy texture and start to brown. It is important not to overcook them; one good test is tasting the mushrooms to see if they possess the flavors and aroma you are seeking; if they seem bland without an impressive aroma or have an off-putting odor then these might have passed their prime and should be discarded immediately.

Water can help in this process, but to test their quality the best way is through tasting. Your ideal mushrooms should have an umami flavor without becoming bitter or woody.