The Miracle of Medicinal Mushrooms and Matcha

If you love the nutritional kick of matcha green tea, you'll know that this superfood has tons of incredible benefits. It is rich in antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, and can prevent free radical damage - to mention but a few of the wonderful benefits.

But did you know there's a way to get even more out of this nutritional powerhouse? You can level up on matcha tea's many health properties by adding medicinal mushrooms to your daily matcha tea. This blog will explore matcha and medicinal mushrooms and how you can combine them to maximize their health benefits while enjoying a delicious beverage!

Before you add any new dietary supplement or change your diet, talk to your doctor or a healthcare professional for advice. Some foods and beverages like mushrooms and matcha tea may affect prescribed medications.

The Healing Power of Matcha Green Tea Powder

Matcha green tea is a superfood. It contains catechins - the most potent of all antioxidants. Research has shown that one of these catechins, called EGCG, has excellent cancer-fighting properties. Matcha contains over a hundred times more EGCG than any other tea, making it super healthy! It also contains L-theanine, which improves memory and concentration and can ease stress.

It boosts immunity, can help protect your liver, promotes heart health, reduces stress, and stimulates alpha wave production in your brain, improving cognitive function. People with diabetes will be happy to know they can benefit from matcha because it reduces triglycerides in the blood and total cholesterol.

The Benefits of Mushroom Supplements

Also a superfood, mushrooms have been used in ancient Chinese medicine for centuries. These days, mushroom supplements are becoming increasingly popular, and for a good reason. Although the exact health benefits depend on the mushroom species, most medicinal mushrooms contribute to overall health.

Most medicinal mushrooms are easy to take and digest, even on an empty stomach. Here are some of the most popular mushrooms used in supplements, what you can expect from them regarding flavor, and what makes them so good for you:

Reishi

The nutritional power of the reishi mushroom helps your body fight off diseases and the effects of aging because it improves the immune system. It also contains beta-glucans that help reduce LDL cholesterol and can help with managing stress. Reishi mushrooms are a popular alternative medicine for people struggling with insomnia and have been used as a supplement to treat diabetes, cancer, and hepatitis.

You can get reishi in powder, extract, or capsule form. This mushroom is incredibly bitter, so if you plan to make a mushroom latte, it's best to add some non-dairy milk and a sweetener like monk fruit, maple syrup, or agave to combat the bitterness of the blend and create a tasty and creamy drink.

Chaga

Also known as the "King of mushrooms" and "cinder conk," chaga mushrooms contain polyphenols and other compounds that boost the immune system. This mushroom is also rich in antioxidants and is excellent for reducing inflammation, improving skin health, regulating blood sugar, and helping with gastrointestinal problems.

Chaga mushroom is also available in various forms making it easy to incorporate into your smoothies or matcha latte. The flavor is less bitter than the reishi mushroom and tastes mild and earthy with a hint of vanilla bean. Feel free to whisk some cacao into your matcha and mushroom blend to whip up a decadently healthy drink!

Turkey Tail

The peculiar and interesting turkey tail mushroom looks slightly like a turkey's tail. Its health properties are similar to other mushrooms like reishi and cordyceps. Turkey tail mushrooms can help combat cancerous tumors. They promote white blood cell growth and are an excellent supplement for digestive health.

Turkey tail mushrooms don't taste like mushrooms at all. They are mild and slightly earthy, so they won't drastically change the flavor of your mushroom matcha latte if you add a teaspoon of turkey tail mushroom powder to it. This blend will give you the health benefits of this mushroom but without extra flavor you may not enjoy.

Cordyceps

Also high in beta-glucans, cordyceps is used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve stamina and immunity. This mushroom is also an excellent anti-inflammatory and can help balance hormones and support lung and kidney function.

Cordyceps powder is mild and slightly bitter but not as bitter as reishi. Some people experience it as tasting similar to cacao powder. The aftertaste is sweet, so if you stir a teaspoon or two into your tea blend, you're in for an interesting treat!

Lion's Mane

Known for the incredible support it gives the immune system, lion's mane mushrooms contain unique compounds like erinacines and hericones known for mitigating the effects of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Lion's mane medicinal mushrooms can help treat anxiety and depression.

This interesting mushroom is mildly sweet with an undertone that tastes like seafood. It is also known to absorb other flavors. So, if you mix it with other ingredients, you won't have to worry about your tea tasting like lobster or shrimp! This mushroom is ideal for your mushroom matcha latte blend. Add a little cinnamon for sweetness and spiciness.

How to Combine Medicinal Mushrooms With Matcha

If you're sold on what functional mushrooms and matcha green tea powder can do for your body and mind, the next step is to start incorporating it into your daily routine. While some people think mushroom coffee is the only way to do this, many more options exist.

One of the simplest ways is to make a tea decoction which means you blend your mushroom and matcha powder in hot water for a simple but super healthy drink. Or, you could try one of the many matcha latte recipes and turn them into mushroom lattes.

Here is more information about the two main options for combining matcha with mushrooms and some tips on preparing both.

#1. Making a Matcha Mushroom Tea Decoction

Tea decoctions are simmered teas made with a blend of botanicals like flowers, herbs, leaves, roots, seeds, or mushrooms. You can make a decoction by mixing a teaspoon of ceremonial-grade matcha with a teaspoon of mushroom powder, pieces, or slices for half an hour to an hour and a half. Strain the liquid and use it as tea, smoothies, or even soup.

You can use any of the medicinal mushrooms in this way. It's an effective way to get all the nutrition from the matcha and the mushrooms to boost your overall health and well-being. Whether you want turkey tail mushrooms' mildly flavored but potent antioxidant properties or the earthy goodness and anti-inflammatory benefits of chaga, this method will ensure maximum extraction.

#2. Making a Mushroom Matcha Latte

If you love lattes but prefer not to have mushroom coffee, try some of the many matcha latte recipes. This simple but delicious mushroom matcha latte recipe is all you need for an energetic boost in the morning without reaching for the coffee pot. Although "mushroom latte" may sound like it's made with coffee, we're all about tea at Firebelly Tea.

Besides the delicious taste of ceremonial-grade matcha green tea, you'll avoid the caffeine jitters from coffee and still get the energy boost from the caffeine in the matcha green tea. It's the perfect vegan, gluten-free, and super-healthy drink.

Here's our favorite mushroom matcha latte recipe - try it; we think you'll love it!

Spicy-Sweet Mushroom Matcha Latte Recipe

This recipe makes one matcha latte serving. If you need more than a single serving, double up the ingredients in the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of your favorite plant-based milk (we like gluten-free oat milk for extra creaminess)

• 1 teaspoon ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha powder

• 1 teaspoon mushroom powder (reishi, chaga, cordyceps, turkey tail, or lion's mane)

• 1 tablespoon sweetener like monk fruit, maple syrup, or agave

• Cinnamon to taste

• 1/4 cup of hot water

• Ice

Instructions

1. Mix the matcha powder, mushroom powder, and sweetener in a heat-proof cup.

2. Pour the hot water over it and vigorously blend it. You can use a milk frother, handheld mixer, fork, or whisk to mix it all together. The Firebelly Tea stainless steel whisk is the perfect tool for this step!

3. Froth the milk if you like an extra creamy drink and gently stir it into the rest of the ingredients. If you prefer it less creamy, add a little cold water.

4. Sprinkle cinnamon on top and serve immediately.

Decoction or Latte?

If you're new to mushroom teas and need help with the best method, here are some tips to help you decide which would work for you.

The decoction method is perfect for those who enjoy earthy drinks and want to extract the maximum health benefits from their matcha and mushroom blend.

Mushroom lattes are for people who prefer a creamier, more flavorful drink. If you're a regular mushroom coffee drinker and want to move away from coffee, this could be ideal for trying a different version of a traditional latte.

Of course, you can also simply whisk your powders together as you would do when preparing matcha tea traditionally. It doesn't matter how you prefer to enjoy this healthy blend. What's important is that you get the incredible benefits of these two superfoods into your everyday diet.

Add Medicinal Mushrooms to Your Matcha Today!

Mushroom supplements are available in capsules or powders and pack a powerful punch for health. Use them in a mushroom matcha drink for the full range of health benefits. You don't have to go through the jitters from coffee to get a caffeine kick; you can make a matcha green tea latte instead for sustained energy release.

With mushroom matcha lattes, it becomes easy and fun to at these functional, whole foods into your daily diet. Whether you need the medicinal benefits of reishi, chaga, or any other mushroom, you can quickly whip up a serving of this superfood in the comfort of your home. Remember to use premium-quality ceremonial-grade matcha. Order some here, and have it delivered to your door!