Herbal Mushroom Chai — uprooted kitchen blog

I've been putting together this mix of mushrooms, herbs, chai spices, and cacao powder for several months now. I was inspired by the mushroom coffees and cocoas that have popped up recently, but I wanted something that didn't have any sweeteners or coffee. Medicinal mushrooms have been shown to increase antioxidant activity, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, manage blood sugar levels, support brain health, increase energy, and help the mind and body cope with stress. (Like any sort of herb or supplement, you should consult your doctor before using them, especially if you have any major health concerns.)

So, instead of an extra cup of strong tea later in the day, I whisk this into some almond milk which usually provides the boost I need to get through the rest of the day. (I use an almond milk that is simply almonds and water, but you can use whichever alternative milk you prefer.) Like I mentioned above, there is no sweetener, but the chai spices give it such a blast of flavor that you'll find you don't need the sweetness. But if you still do, try blending a banana into your almond milk before heating it up. This summer I've been turning it into a smoothie, to take the edge off this heat, by adding frozen banana and ice cubes and tossing it into the blender.

Ingredients:

1 T chaga mushroom powder*

1 T cordyceps mushroom powder*

1 1/2 T ashwagandha powder

1 t rhodiola root powder

1 t turmeric

4 T cacao powder

1/4 t ground cloves

1/2 t ground ginger

1/2 t ground cardamom

1 t cinnamon

1 cup alternative milk (I use almond)

Combine all dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Heat milk on stove until just barely steaming. Whisk 2 T of herb/mushroom mix into the milk until frothy and well-combined. Pour into your favorite mug and drink.

For smoothie, combine the following in your blender: 1-2 frozen bananas (depending on your sweetness preference), 2 T herb/mushroom mix, 1 c almond milk, and about 8 ice cubes. Blend and enjoy.

*Note: You can add or switch out different mushroom powders as well. Lion's mane, reishi, shiitake, and turkey tail (among others) are all great options.