Caffeine-free Chai Spiced Chaga Mushroom Latte

What’s Inside: Looking for a new morning routine that doesn’t involve coffee? The answer may be medicinal mushrooms! Discover the benefits of nixing caffeine from your breakfast ritual and exploring other rejuvenating beverage options, like my caffeine-free, dairy-free Chai Spiced Chaga Latte (aka Mushroom Latte) recipe.

How To Crowd Out Caffeine with Medical Mushroom Powder

Have you heard of Chaga? How about Cordyceps? Does Reishi ring a bell?

No, these aren’t cities in foreign countries. They’re types of medicinal mushrooms! And they all have their own “superpower,” as I like to call it, depending on what you could use the most support in, or just depending on what taste you like best, including:

• Providing natural energy and stamina
• Supporting a healthy immune system
• Soothing inflammation and pain
• Promoting healthy skin by fighting free radicals
• Supporting healthy respiratory system
• Improving low blood circulation (fights heart disease and high cholesterol)

I do realize that we’re talking about drinking mushrooms, by the way … but hear me out. Coffee is made from beans, and people drink that all the time! (OK, I know that’s not the same, but similar logic in terms of origin.)

If you’re someone who could use an immunity boost (and who couldn’t?!) and some natural energy while maintaining a morning ritual of sipping a hot beverage, you need to try the recipe below for my Chai Spiced Chaga Latte, as well as my Cinnamon Vanilla Cordyceps Latte recipe. Coffee is delicious and all, and I do enjoy it from time to time as a treat, but there’s a whole world out there of possibilities! Who knows, you might soon trade in your daily cuppa joe for some fungus in a cup. Just sayin’!

Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Tip: Check out this guide to learn how caffeine is affecting your hormones, what to do about it, and my favorite brands and recipes for you to download!

Benefits of Ditching Your Coffee Addiction

I used to be a “1-2 cups of coffee every morning or I don’t talk to anyone” type of gal. I’d get a headache on the weekends when I woke up later than I did on weekdays because my body was craving my daily dose of caffeine. I was completely addicted and reliant on the stuff, and I HATED that. In the past, I had tried to give it up so many times, but the headaches were too much to bear. And watching everyone around me drinking it was such a tease! I’d eventually cave in; it was always all or nothing.

But all of that changed once I started to experiment with other drinks I could have as my morning ritual instead. And those options really opened me up to a whole new world of possibilities! We have been thinking way too small, people. Thanks to Chaga — which was my gateway into drinking mushrooms — I realized I was able to live without caffeine (gasp!). Moreover, I liked how I felt so much better when I wasn’t a caffeine addict. My energy increased, and it wasn’t a jittery kind. Plus, I found that I was getting sick much less. That’s a win-win-win in my book!

These lattes are my favorite way to drink medicinal mushrooms, and I’ve had a lot of trial and error. The flavors are deep and earthy, and the health benefits are nothing short of incredible. As someone living with an autoimmune disease, I need all the help I can get, and I absolutely can attest to the magic of mushrooms and herbs.

What Are Adaptogens, and What Are Their Benefits?

Adaptogens (including Chaga) are herbs that counteract the physical effects of stress. Stress causes physical changes in the body, including harming the neurological, endocrine, and immune systems. Adaptogens have stimulant properties that help counteract those harmful effects.

Adaptogens support our bodies when they react to (or recover from) both short- and long-term physical or mental stress. Some also boost immunity and overall well-being. In fact, research has shown how adaptogens can combat fatigue, enhance mental performance, and ease depression/anxiety.

So, in this Mushroom Latte recipe and my Cinnamon Vanilla Cordyceps Latte recipe, I’ve added a more adaptogens that I love and noted which ones are optional for each recipe. For example, I love adding ashwagandha for even more benefits of lowering stress levels and supporting adrenals, as well as my hypothyroid (under-active). It’s also wonderful for healthy hair.

Bonus! The addition of coconut oil and collagen are also great for hair, skin, nails and so much more. This combo also helps it to froth up, even more, giving you those DIY barista and coffee-shop-at-home vibes!

What is a Mushroom Latte?

Don’t let the name turn you off of this delicious coffee-alternative. This Chai Spiced Chaga Mushroom Latte is an energizing, soothing morning drink just like it’s caffeinated cousin, but without all the jitters.

The deep and dark mushroom (Chaga) is known for its immunity-boosting superpower because it’s proven to support a healthy immune system by:

• Supporting healthier cardiovascular channels
• Lowering cholesterol
• Containing potential cancer-fighting properties
• Being a great source of vitamins: D, K, and Bs and minerals: Iron, Calcium, Copper and Zinc.
• Soothing inflammation and subsequent pain
• Fighting bad bacteria and increasing bile production for better digestion and detoxing (aka digestive, liver, and gastrointestinal health support)
• Fighting free radicals to promote healthy skin

Plus, the addition of the adaptogen, maca, provides an extra boost of energy and alertness.

Key Ingredients

You can make your own Spiced Chaga Latte at home with 9 ingredients, which include:

• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 serving Chaga extract (1/2 tsp or 1 on-the-go packet)
• 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (omit for AIP)
• 1 tsp maple syrup or raw honey
• 1/8 tsp vanilla extract or powder (alcohol-free for AIP)
• 1 scoop collagen powder
• optional add-ins: 1 tsp maca powder and 1/2 tsp ashwagandha powder (omit for AIP)

How To Make a Homemade Chai Spiced Chaga Latte

This Chai Spiced Chaga Mushroom Latte could not be easier to make. Simply mix water, coconut milk, and spices in a small saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a simmer.

Add the heated spiced milk to a heat-safe high-speed blender. Then add the chaga extract, maple syrup, vanilla, and collagen powder, and blend on high until frothy (20-30 seconds).

Pour in a mug, and serve right away. And enjoy!

Are you an iced latte drinker? Just use hot water to dissolve the Chaga, use cold milk, and add everything to a blender. Allow it to all come to room temperature and then pour into a glass with ice, enjoy!

More Coffee Alternative Recipes To Try

If you enjoyed this Chai Spiced Chaga Latte, then you’ll love my other hot beverage recipes:

• Iced Lavender London Fog Latte
• The BEST Matcha Latte
• Instant Pot Apple & Pear Cider
• Paleo Coquito
• Super Hot Cocoa
• Pumpkin Spice Turmeric Latte