Where to find and Harvest Chaga Mushroom
If you’ve ever walked through a grove of birch trees, you may have come across a strange, dark, burnt-looking growth on the trunk. That’s Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus), a wild medicinal fungus prized for its health benefits. On our off-grid property, we’re fortunate to have birch trees where we harvest Chaga responsibly.
What Is Chaga Mushroom?
Chaga is a slow-growing fungus that thrives mainly on birch trees in cold climates. It appears as a hard, cracked, black mass on the outside, resembling burnt charcoal, while the inside is a vibrant rusty orange to yellowish-brown.
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Size: Can grow 10–15 inches in diameter.
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Growth rate: Takes 3–10 years to reach harvest size.
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Best growth: On healthy birch trees around 40 years old.