Are you a mushroom fan? Guess what - I didn't use to be! As a kid, I thought mushrooms were nasty and to be avoided! But every since I got into my late teens, I started acquiring a taste for the fungi.
I would never in my wildest dreams, as a kid, thought that some day I would even acquire a taste for wild mushrooms.
That's right! I got to try some delicious dehydrated wild mushrooms and chaga from
David Russell at Appalachian Mushrooms.
I had the opportunity to review both the Maitake Mushrooms, as well as the Wild Mushroom Mix and ground chaga.
When I tried both types of mushroom, the results were quite surprising....
After rehydrating the mushrooms in some water and then draining the extra water off, I mixed a bit from each mushroom packet and sauteed them with a little organic olive oil, some garlic salt and other herbs.
I paired the finished product with sauteed kale and it was amazing! It almost tasted like bacon bits mixed in the kale. Highly recommended, especially if you are vegetarian or kosher and want something vaguely similar to pork but no actual meat!
The maitake mushrooms taste very close to the typical mushrooms you would purchase anywhere else. The mushroom itself has a unique shape but the flavor is quite mild. The wild mushroom mix included Oysters, Chanterelles, and Hedgehog mushrooms. The flavor was a little stronger but still delicious! I think these were what brought the bacon bits flavor and vibe. They might look a little different but don't let that throw you off!
Next, we move on to the chaga!
So first off, what the heck is chaga? I asked myself this question as I opened the little tin container and smelled the ground mushroom powder.
Turns out, it's a very nutritious substance that is packed with health benefits! For example - chaga mushrooms are great for boosting the immune system! Also, they are anti-cancer, antioxidants, reduce inflammation, protect the liver, and even can help promote healthy skin. It boasts 215 different phytochemicals. Wow, right? Who would have guessed that a mushroom could do all that! (information source, and another useful source)
Chaga can be enjoyed in two different ways primarily - tea, or tincture. I decided to try the tea since I don't have the ingredients right now for a tincture, and am more likely to drink hot tea than use a tincture at this phase in my life.
You can also take chaga tablets or make your own, but note that this method is not as efficient for garnering all the benefits from the chaga, as it is very hard to break down in the human digestive tract without a little extra help. It appears the best way to get the full benefit is from tincture, and then second best is through hot tea.
David included some nice paper tea bags with the chaga, which was a plus! I brewed a cup using about 2 tablespoons chaga and let it steep for about 20 minutes. I read you can let it steep up to an hour, even, to get all the nutrients out.
I sweetened the finished tea with a spoon of Apiterra raw honey, and it was tolerable. I say tolerable because I'm not used to the flavor of tea made with mushrooms. That's just the reality, haha. I think that this kind of tea would wear on me if I were to keep drinking it. And knowing how amazingly healthy it is, gives me incentive to drink it! With honey, it really isn't that bad at all. Give it a try and tell me what YOU think?!
You should definitely check out Appalachian Mushrooms especially if you already are into mushrooms or trying new things that are very healthy! Tell them I sent ya!
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p.s. I was provided these items in exchange for my honest review.
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