Mushroom tea has long been used medicinally across Asian cultures. Now, its market is projected to experience significant growth due to purported health benefits like immunity-boosting, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, reports Tea News. Mushrooms also play an increasingly significant part in consumer diets thanks to growing consumer recognition that they’re natural whole-food ingredients.

Mushrooms are an indispensable ingredient in Chinese cuisine, especially stir-fry, soup and braised meat dishes. One particularly popular variety is Agrocybe aegerita or “Tea Tree Mushroom”, more commonly referred to as Willow or Velvet Pioppini due to its woody earthiness that adds huge umami layers into stews, soups and hot pot dishes while its firm texture reminiscent of Shiitake makes it especially suitable.

The Chaga mushroom boasts a delicious woodsy, earthy taste and is one of the most prized fungi used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is commonly referred to as Lingzhi. It boasts strong antioxidant activity, immune boosting effects and antiviral and stomachic benefits that have been used successfully to treat cancer, high cholesterol and other ailments.

Hypoxylon lanatum), is another mushroom with potential health benefits that has garnered recent interest for its potential anti-aging and other benefits. Native to both North America and Europe, this fungus helps protect trees against harmful microorganisms by breaking down toxic substances in their hosts before recycling them back into the soil for production of new cells. In addition, this source of vitamin D also has anti-ageing benefits.

Tea brands are using various strategies to promote mushroom-based teas, from packaging and distribution, through retail and shelf life, but face challenges in doing so; mushrooms can be fragile when transported, prone to damage during storage, and require refrigeration before consumption despite growing consumer awareness of functional mushroom teas.

Brands must educate consumers on the benefits of adding mushrooms to their diet, and how to select appropriate products that fit their specific needs. It is also important for individuals to be aware of possible side effects; for instance, those living with diabetes should be wary of drinking mushroom-based beverages that might alter blood sugar levels, potentially leading to hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. It is advisable to seek professional advice prior to adding anything new into their diet plan.