How to Shred Chaga Mushrooms

Found on birch trees in cold climates, Chaga mushrooms, Inonotus obliquus, look like large, black tumorous growths. People in northern Europe and Russia have used chaga mushrooms for many years to cure cancer and digestive system ailments. Although no clinical trials have been conducted on humans, experiments on mice revealed that chaga has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and hypoglycemic properties. Chaga mushrooms are edible; however, many cannot tolerate its bitter taste. More often, people make tea from shredded chaga.

Things You'll Need

• Chisel
• Hammer
• Large, sharp knife

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Use the chisel and the hammer to separate the chaga from the tree. Insert the chisel into the chaga, near the bark of the tree. Apply pressure to the chisel by hitting it with the hammer. Continue around the edge of the chaga until it drops off.

• 2

  Place the chaga on a flat surface. Remove the charcoal-like black portions of the chaga with the chisel and hammer.

• 3

  Lay the dry, brown interior of the chaga on a flat surface. Use a large, sharp knife to cut the chaga into 1-inch cubes. Alternatively, you can use the chisel and hammer to break the brown chaga into smaller pieces. Your chaga is now ready to be brewed into a tea.