Spicy Chaga Chai Tea

Brew the Chaga Tea
The easiest method is via a crockpot on the warm setting. You can also do this on a very low setting on the stove using a thermometer with temperature alarm. Ideally you want to keep your tea below 160F to retain the medicinal qualities of the chaga. Add water and chaga chunks, brew for 6-8 hours. Once your tea has taken on a rich, dark color it's ready for the addition of chai spices.

Make the Chai Tea Base
Remove the chaga chunks, set aside and air dry for your next brewing. You can use them 4-5 more times. Add cardamom, ginger chunks, cloves, fennel, cinnamon sticks, peppercorns and star anise to the tea in your crockpot. Brew for 1.5-2 more hours, or until the tea has taken on a flavor you desire. Add black tea and brew for another 10-15 minutes. Test your tea at regular intervals here, you can use any black tea you like but some tea steeps much faster than others. If you leave it in too long, it will become too strong. Lastly strain the solids and add the ginger juice. This is the spice maker! You can add more if you like very spicy chai, just do this a little at a time. At some point the ginger will overpower everything else.

Make a Cup of Chai
Add about 5oz of tea base to a cup, fill the rest of your cup with your preferred warmed milk and sweeten to your liking. You may cool the rest of the tea base to room temperature and store in the refrigerator for up to a week or so.

Enjoy!