ALEXANDRIA, VA — You might have heard the terms “mushroom coffee” or “mud water” circling the internet, but what exactly is this drink? What can it do for you, and where does it come from?
Sometimes referred to as a “coffee alternative,” this drink comes from the chaga mushroom that primarily grows on birch trees in colder climates throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The chaga mushroom is a parasitic organism, so harvesting it is beneficial to the birch tree as well as to our health.
While these mushrooms have been used for their health benefits for centuries, they have been increasing in popularity over the past decade as a “superfood”. The chaga mushroom is an adaptogen, meaning that it offers a myriad of health benefits, including an immunity boost, and can help your body adapt to any situation. The internet now offers over 4,000 chaga powders and products, but they often feature unwanted preservatives, and the powders tend to make a gritty drink.
Luckily for Alexandria residents, ESP Tea & Coffee makes their own fresh adaptogenic mushroom brew, featuring all of chaga’s health benefits and none of the powders. ESP uses three key ingredients in their concentrate: cinnamon ceylon, cardamon, and of course, chaga mushrooms from a farm in Maine. These ingredients are steeped together for at least three hours to make the chaga decoction.
ESP’s adaptogenic mushroom latte still offers the deep, rich flavor of coffee but without the caffeine, providing a jitter-free energy boost. Their chaga brew also has a smooth flavor that does not need a lot of sugar to taste good.
So, head on over to ESP Tea & Coffee at 1012 King Street to order a fresh chaga latte. ESP is also selling the brew in quart size mason jars at the front of the store.
Check out Z-TV’s video with See Ellauri from ESP on how to make the perfect chaga latte!
