How to Safely Harvest Chaga - A Complete Guide to Finding and Collecting Quality Chaga Mushrooms

Chaga, known as the "birch mushroom," thrives in northern regions where birch trees are common. While it grows throughout Russia, it is primarily found in the vast Siberian forests. Small quantities can also be found in Belarus and Ukraine, though chaga is rare in these regions, often requiring hours of searching to find even a single mushroom. Southern regions are not ideal for harvesting due to the unsuitable climate and lack of birch forests.

The highest quality chaga, known for its medicinal properties, is found in remote, northern areas of Siberia, such as the Irkutsk region, Altai, Kamchatka, and the Russian Far East. These regions, with their cold and harsh climates, foster the growth of chaga rich in biologically active compounds.

Importance of Ecological Purity

When harvesting chaga, it’s not only the region that matters but also the ecological purity of the area. Chaga absorbs everything in its environment, including pollutants, heavy metals, and radiation. For this reason, it is crucial to harvest it far from industrial zones, cities, and major roads. Ideally, chaga should be collected in forests that are at least 100-200 kilometers away from any pollution sources.
We collect chaga by hand from pristine areas in Siberia, primarily in the Tomsk and Irkutsk regions, Altai, and Khakassia. Our trained foragers ensure the mushrooms are collected responsibly, and all chaga undergoes rigorous laboratory testing to ensure it is free from contaminants like heavy metals and radionuclides.

Best Time and Method for Harvesting Chaga

While chaga can be harvested year-round, the ideal times are early spring and late autumn. Winter snow cover can make access to trees difficult, and the dense summer foliage often hides the mushroom from view, particularly when it grows high on tree trunks. Additionally, during summer, Siberian forests can be challenging to navigate due to thick vegetation.
Chaga typically grows high up on the trunks of birch trees. The most potent chaga is mature, at least four years old, and approximately 20-25 cm in size. To ensure you’re harvesting the most beneficial mushrooms, always collect from living, mature birch trees. Younger mushrooms or those growing near the base of the tree have weaker chemical compositions and fewer health benefits.

Tips for Harvesting

Here are a few important tips to keep in mind:

1. Select old, living birch trees.
2. Avoid chaga growing below two meters on the tree trunk.
3. Protect yourself from ticks and insects, especially during warmer months.

Following these guidelines ensures that you collect the highest quality chaga for making medicinal teas and extracts.

Preparing Chaga for Use: Proper Drying

Once you’ve harvested your chaga, it’s important to properly process and dry it. Begin by cleaning the mushroom of any wood, bark, or debris. Then, chop it into pieces approximately 10 cm in size.
Why You Shouldn’t Dry Chaga Whole
Drying large chunks of chaga is not recommended because it may not fully dry and could start to rot. Instead, chop the chaga into smaller pieces to ensure it dries evenly.

How to Dry Chaga Properly

There are several ways to dry chaga:

1. In the oven: Set the temperature to no higher than 60°C (140°F).
2. In the open air: Spread the pieces on clean paper in the sun.
3. Near a heat source: Place the chaga near a fireplace or stove.

It is important to keep the drying temperature below 60°C (140°F) for two reasons:

1. Fire hazard: Dry chaga is highly flammable and was historically used to start fires.
2. Preservation of medicinal properties: High temperatures can destroy the bioactive compounds in chaga.

According to pharmacopoeial standards, the moisture content of dried chaga should be around 14%. While achieving exact moisture levels at home can be tricky, make sure the chaga is fully dry but not over-dried.

Processing Chaga for Extracts

We use vacuum drying at temperatures below 40°C (104°F) to produce our chaga extracts. This method preserves all bioactive compounds, ensuring maximum health benefits.

How to Identify Quality Chaga

Not all chaga is equally beneficial. Here are the key criteria for identifying high-quality, medicinal chaga:

1. Growing location: Medicinal chaga grows best on wild birch trees in regions with harsh winters, as extreme conditions promote the accumulation of beneficial compounds.
2. Age of the tree and mushroom: The birch should be at least 15 years old, and the chaga itself should be at least 4-5 years old.
3. Ecological purity: It’s essential to harvest chaga from remote, unpolluted areas. Chaga collected near cities, industrial zones, or highways may contain harmful substances.
4. Appearance: Medicinal chaga has a cracked, black crust. The darker and thicker the outer layer, the higher the concentration of antioxidants and nutrients.
5. Hardness: Quality chaga is very hard and can only be split with an axe. If it breaks easily, it is likely of poor quality.
6. Smell: Good chaga has a mild, earthy scent. If it smells like regular dried mushrooms, it may be of poor quality or improperly processed.
7. Drying process: Chaga should be dried in temperature-controlled ovens to preserve its medicinal properties.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that the chaga you collect or purchase will provide the maximum health benefits and can be used safely in teas, extracts, and other medicinal products.