This might sound like more of a magic potion than a recipe…and it sort of is! Not the revolting eye of newt and toe of frog-type potion though of course!
First, I suppose we should talk about “chaga”. Chaga is a wild mushroom, unlike the more common mushrooms you’re used to using in cooking though. It’s known by the Siberians as the “Gift from God” and the “Mushroom of Immortality,” and has been used by populations to support health for thousands of years due to its incredibly high mineral content and antioxidant levels.
Chaga, along with Reishi (another power-packed wild mushroom), can be used to support hormonal balance, increase immunity, improve sleep quality and relieve stress.
I’ve been enjoying both the Four Sigma Foods Chaga and Reishi “instant mushroom beverages”, just prepared with hot water as a tea as I find the flavour really pleasant (especially with a slice of fresh ginger), but you can blend the powders into smoothies and use them in baking, cooking and raw recipes. For more ideas on how to use them, take a look at the FSF Recipes page.
Today, I’m sharing my Spiced Chocolate-Chaga Elixir which is above and beyond my favourite way to use the instant powders.
So, onto the elixir! I’d actually never heard of an elixir until a couple of weeks ago when I went to a talk by blogger friend, wholefood consultant and childrens’ cookbook author, Ellie Bedford, at London VegFest. Ellie talked about superfood smoothies and drinks and showed us her formula for making elixirs- super nutritious and delicious warm drinks, and a great alternative to smoothies in winter!
The formula lends itself to a million and one variations but this has been my favourite so far and the one I’m making over and over. It’s a wonderfully decadent-tasting drink and perfect for any time of the day- enjoy it curled up on the sofa with friends and a movie in the evening or snatch a few minutes to yourself mid-afternoon. Just be sure to savour every sip!
I used the Four Sigma Foods Chaga as my base. I happen to really like the taste which is quite earthy, a bit like coffee or black tea (without the caffeine), but you could use another mushroom beverage like Reishi, Cordyceps or Lion’s Mane, or a herbal tea like Rooibos, depending on your needs/preferences since the tea flavour is just a background flavour. We’re adding in lots of richness with hemp seeds and cashews, cinnamon and cayenne for that spiciness-which goes so well with cacao in my opinion, coconut sugar for sweetness and and a couple of other little flavour boosters. You’ll see it tastes just like a luxurious hot chocolate!
We simply blend everything up in a high-powered blender. I use my Froothie Optimum 9400 blender which is especially wonderful here, as, not only does it break down the harder ingredients into a smooth and creamy drink, but blending on high for a few minutes produces friction heat so the elixir is warm, frothy and ready to drink with no extra heating.
I hope you give this recipe a try and then have fun coming up with your own elixirs! Try different base teas, carob instead of cacao, your favourite superfoods, nuts and seeds, spices, essential oils etc.
Ingredients
- 3 C Hot, brewed Chaga tea/ 3 C hot water + 2 sachets instant chaga powder
- 1/4 C Hemp seeds
- 1/4 C Cashews (preferably soaked)
- 3 Tbsp Cacao powder
- 3 Tbsp Coconut sugar
- 1 Tbsp Lucuma (optional)
- 1-1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/8-1/4 tsp Cayenne powder
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla powder
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend on high for a few minutes until you have a warm and creamy drink.
- Taste and adjust any flavours to your preference (more sweetness, more spiciness, etc.).
- If you prefer your elixir extra hot, pour into a pan and warm gently over low heat.
If you’re interested in trying Four Sigma Foods’ products, check out this list of resellers to find where they’re available near you, or buy online from their worldwide webstore.
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[Disclosure: Four Sigma Foods sent me samples of their products for review purposes, but I received no other compensation and, as always, all opinions are my own.]
I love these little mushroom sachets, and also have been using them like a tea, but this idea is so much better!
They’re fab, aren’t they?! I want to have a proper look at the recipes on the FSF website. Look like there are some great ideas there too.
I would certainly savour every sip of this. What a wonderful drink - so many amazing ingredients and perfect for curling up with a book.
It’s so so delicious Kari! Hope you give it- or your own version- a go!
I have never heard of Chaga tea before, it looks intriguing and absolutely delicious!
I hadn’t heard of it until fairly recently either! You can definitely make this drink with other herbal teas though.
I’d never heard of Chaga or Reishi before so many thanks for the introduction! I’d love to give them a try. They sound delicious (and perfect for my tasted buds!) Your elixir looks wonderful. We’re definitely moving into warm drink weather now x
My smoothie consumption has definitely been on the decline these past few weeks. You can pack elixirs with all sorts of good stuff though too!
Never heard of these, sounds really interesting - the photos are mouthwatering too! Is the Optimum blender the one they were selling at Vegfest?
The Optimum is the one they were using at all the food/recipe demos if you saw any? I love mine! I wrote a full review here if you’re interested: http://www.coconutandberries.com/2014/08/06/ginger-choc-crunch-smoothie-introducing-froothie/
I’ve never heard of those before, but boy does that look good.
It’s pretty decadent-tasting! Very adaptable too!
YEAY to elixir power! So glad to see you enjoying them, I too love a chaga elixir
xx
Thank you again for the introduction Ellie! So happy with my new discovery
Wow, I’ve not heard of chaga before but I really want to try it. The drink sounds great!
It’s pretty magical stuff! And the elixir even more so 😉
Mushroom tea? I am sooo intrigued I can’t wait to try! I have never heard of chaga or reishi before
Love the look of this elixir!
It sounds pretty crazy doesn’t it? But it’s been used for thousands of years. Four Sigma Foods are just reviving the tradition!
The elixir is sensational- you can try it with other herbal teas if you don’t have chaga to hand
This looks so very fabulous!! I loooove chaga! I never thought of mixing it with chocolate. I bet they pair beautifully.
Happy to hear you’re already enjoying chaga. It really does pair beautifully with chocolate…but then again don’t most things?! 😉
Clearly, I must get on the Chaga bandwagon! I’ve never tried it, and very curious. This looks/sounds delish!
I’m really enjoying it! Can you have chaga..? It being a mushroom and all I’d have thought it would be off-limits with candida?
I haven’t heard of chaga before but I defo wish to try it out. I’ve checked and I can get it at Real Foods in Edinburgh. Love this recipe and the fax that you made it in your Froothie. It sounds so decadent but is so good for you too. Win-win!
Brill! Real Foods are great, aren’t they? I’ve ordered from them before even though I’m down south.
This looks so comforting and warm and soooo delicious Emma! I love anything with chocolate and that tea sounds divine. Love that you added lucuma too, love that stuff. We, unfortunately, can’t do mushrooms but it really does look amazing and I bet smells yummy too
Totally forgot you can’t have mushrooms in your household
You can definitely make this with a different herbal tea base though, or even just hot water since the other ingredients add a lot of flavour and richness.
Lucuma kicks up that creamy sweetness a touch too!
Delicious! I love chaga and reishi. I like to use them during the winter to boost immunity. I’ll be bookmarking this recipe for that time!
Oh my, here is a new one for me; I must try it! X
I saw chaga powder today for sale and am definitely thinking to take the plunge and try it! Especially mixed with chocolate, this elixir looks divine!
{Teffy’s Perks} X
I can’t imagine anyone not liking chaga when it’s in this recipe! I do like it straight up though but it’s a very unique. flavour so probably not to everyone tastes.
At last a use for my Locuma powder that isn’t ice cream! Definitely going to try this, because it is so totally not Spring yet.
Thanks Monica! It’s definitely too chilly to be thinking about ice cream. This is a lovely warmer
Great recipe Emma, thanks for this! The only thing I would add, is why not get hold of some whole chaga and grind it down into a powder yourself in a blender or coffee/spice & nut grinder? It only takes a few seconds to grind the chunks of chaga into powder, plus it keeps longer in its whole form too. Anyway, keep up the good work!
I agree with Russ, grinding chaga can give you many benefits as it is converted into powder….
This is chaga ground into a powder…