If you don’t already know (I…talk about it a lot), I’m basically on a lifelong quest for the perfect dirty chai in BC. From tiny roadside cafes to remote general stores (shoutout to Beaverdell gas station, honestly??), I’ve tasted my fair share.
But today, I’m thrilled to report I found something truly special—right here at home.
Enter: Wildcraft Foods Chaga Chai, a healthy and delicious tea blend made right in our backyard by two of my friends and local legends, Justin Rahardjo and Jesse Phillips.
These two haul absolute ass all over the mountains (yes, even up in the Yukon), foraging mushrooms, getting their hands dirty, and creating wild-foraged, fungi-based magic.
But they’re not doing it alone. A third team member—the talented Hannah Whitaker who currently hand-bags the tea—is also part of this operation. She’s planning to launch her own tea business in the future, and Justin and Jesse are supporting her journey from the ground up. It’s a beautiful example of community collaboration and mentorship in action!
So, while their morel rub is already gracing the shelves at Eric’s Meat Market and in Kaslo, and Ferraro Foods in Trail, I got a sneak sip of their latest offering: Chaga Chai Tea—and I am so here for it.
Let’s talk flavour:
This is a soft chai. It doesn’t punch you in the face with spice, but rather coaxes you awake with warm, balanced notes that feel more like a gentle hug than a jolt. Perfect for those of us who love a chai moment but want something subtler than coffee for a morning pick-me-up. Of course, I added foamy milk and honey (because I am who I am), and let me tell you—it warmed me right to my bones.
Pro tip: steep it a little longer than you think—this blend rewards patience. I even reused the same bag a few times and still got tons of flavour out of it.
Now, if you’re wondering why chaga?, here’s the deal:
Chaga mushrooms are rich in antioxidants, particularly superoxide dismutase (SOD), which helps combat oxidative stress and protect against cellular damage . They’ve been studied for their potential to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels . Some research even suggests they may have anticancer properties, though more studies are needed to confirm these effects in humans.
Wildcraft is currently trying to get their Chaga Chai into Sunnyside Café in Kaslo, so if you’re local, go ahead and gently bug Hannah (with love, of course) to stock it so we can all sip this local gem. Until then, grab yourself some at Oso Negro in Nelson, where it’s already on the shelves!
BC folks, mushroom nerds, chai lovers—this one’s for you.
Sources:
Jessica Barratt 