There was a sturdy, steady and cold breeze blowing through the Gresham Farmers' Market when I was there a week or so ago. Nonetheless, I persevered and briefly visited most of the booths. That was until I came upon the Healing Earth table and Rosalie Crowe’s display of Mushroom Hot Chocolate with Reishi. Curiosity caused me to linger and accept a sample of the beverage. A sip quickly convinced me that I couldn’t live without a package of this non GMO, vegan, dairy free product to offer guests. It was quite delicious, seemingly less sweet than the usual hot chocolate, and it left a very pleasant taste lingering in my mouth and in the back of my throat of the organic coconut milk powder blended into the mix.
Rosalie with mushrooms.
Today, as I write this, I am again sipping on the Mushroom Hot Chocolate, prepared this time with whole milk to add additional body and creaminess to the drink although the package instructions suggest using water.
Rosalie emphasizes that reishi enhances the hot chocolate because it is an adaptogen which “changes the way our body reacts to disease and stress by improving efficiency of multiple organs & systems…(they) are used to bring support to where the body needs it the most.”
Rosalie has also developed another beverage which she has named, Matcha Matcha Mushroom. She describes it is as "matcha with cordyceps, a mushroom used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to boost adrenal glands, making it a powerful energy drink. Cordyceps also has anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.”
You can bet that I'll be sipping on the matcha next Saturday at the Farmers' Market. Hopefully, it will be warmer and less windy that day!