Chaga

[Toddy]

Thank you, but I'm not the only one who offers as necessary, and I think Monikieman's view is sound; we think of it as passing along some of the good wishes that have been sent to us Karma kind of sums it up nicely.

'No great abundance' kind of fits with what is generally described. If a tree has it though and survives to feed the fungus long enough, then it can be a big lump. I've been told that the outer crusty black stuff is the best for the tea, but the commercially sold fungus seems to be a mix.

Good amadou is truly excellent for spark catching though and there are plently of fomes around….just that it needs work to prepare it.
I quite like making the felty/leathery amadou, and it can be made from many of the bracket fungus.

M

 

[Teepee]

Yep, it's the black crusty outer that makes the best tea. The black outer is jam packed with all the much touted anti-oxidants and various other beneficial compounds. Not hard to remove-in fact you can often just brush the black scaly outer off, leaving plenty of Chaga left on the tree.

You still get the taste with the honey coloured inner but doesn't have the dark colour or longevity ( a teaspoon of ground Chaga will make 10l of strong tea)

 

[Toddy]

If we brush the black crust off, will it re-grow ? because if it does, until the tree finally keels over, that could be a lot of the best of stuff to be gathered

M

 

[scottpix]

Thanks for the replies folks, pretty amazing stuff, can you recommend a reputable company Toddy? I had look here http://www.fiddleheadheaven.com/buying-chaga-mushrooms.php but would prefer UK or Europe.

Thanks.

 

[Stevie777]

I wonder what the rules are as far as Chaga clearing customs. It is after all a parasite. I doubt very much Australia would allow it in.

 

[Teepee]

If we brush the black crust off, will it re-grow ? because if it does, until the tree finally keels over, that could be a lot of the best of stuff to be gathered

M

Definitely regrows, I've picked some off regrowths. You could see the saw marks on a couple.

 

[Toddy]

Good to know and worth bearing in mind too.

M

 

[Jonbodthethird]

I've actually never tried it my self. But now you've all got me wondering. I'm going to have my eye out for it now.


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[Man of Tanith]

I was introduced to it by teepee.
its a nice taste on its own and it doesnt influence the flavour of standard tea/coffee/hot chocolate/stews.
must aquire some more