Sponsored By
Flavor of the Week

The latest 'Flavor of the Week' information and uses of new flavors that are trending in restaurants with data from Datassential

Flavor of the Week: Chaga, king of medicinal mushrooms

Datassential

September 14, 2020

6 Slides
chaga-mushroom-flavor-of-the-week-sept-14.jpg
Helin Loik-Tomson / iStock / Getty Images Plus

The chaga mushroom is praised for its high level of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory components, and immunity boosting compounds. As a result, it is sometimes referred to as the “king of medicinal mushrooms.”

It grows on birch trees, and is rust colored on the outside with a charcoal-like exterior. Chaga mushrooms are not eaten like other culinary fungi, but are instead generally used in powder form as a functional boost to coffee, tea and other non-alcoholic beverages.

Chaga mushrooms are found on fewer than 1% of menus across the United States, but they have grown in popularity recently and now are on 250% more menus than they were four years ago, according menu research firm Datassential. Approximately 11% of the population knows about the ingredient and 5% have tried it, mostly at independent restaurants or health-focused concepts.

As always, click through the slideshow to learn more about this Flavor of the Week, including a menu idea.

About the Author

Datassential

Datassential is a market research firm providing data, intelligence and market research to the foodservice industry. 

Twitter: @Datassential

LinkedIn: Datassential

YouTube: Datassential

Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.

You May Also Like