Cordyceps tea is a simple warm infusion: rinse a few dried cordyceps pieces, pour just-boiled water over them, and steep for about 5 to 10 minutes. You get a clear, amber cup with a mild, earthy, savory taste. Here at Ten Lei Yen, we think it's one of the easiest ways to enjoy whole wild cordyceps at home.
The short version: use a few whole dried cordyceps pieces per cup and rinse them first to remove surface dust. Steep them in just-boiled water (about 90 to 95°C) for 5 to 10 minutes, and you can re-steep the same pieces two or three times until the color fades. Afterward, simmer or double-boil the softened pieces into a light broth, or eat them, so nothing is wasted. The flavor is mild and earthy with a gentle, savory-umami finish.
What is cordyceps?
Cordyceps sinensis is a prized fungus from the high-altitude Tibetan plateau. Each piece has two parts: a tan to golden caterpillar-shaped body and a slender, darker stalk that grows from one end. Whole, intact pieces go into teas and soups just as they are. If you're new to it, our guide on what cordyceps sinensis is explains the basics.
What you'll need
- A few whole dried cordyceps pieces (about 2 to 4 pieces per cup)
- Just-boiled water, about 200 to 250 ml per cup
- A cup, small teapot, or an infuser bottle
How to brew it
1. Rinse
Give the dried pieces a quick rinse under cool water to remove any surface dust.
2. Steep
Place the pieces in your cup or pot, pour over just-boiled water, cover, and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. The water will turn pale gold.
3. Re-steep
Top up with fresh hot water and steep again. Whole cordyceps can usually be re-steeped two or three times before the color and flavor fade.
4. Use the pieces
Once steeped out, the softened pieces can be simmered or double-boiled into a light broth for about an hour, added to a soup, or simply eaten.
What does it taste like?
Cordyceps tea is mild and clean, with an earthy, mushroom-like aroma and a gentle savory-umami finish. It is not bitter or strong; many people enjoy it on its own. Because the taste is subtle, it pairs easily with other ingredients in a broth.
Serving and storage
Serve the tea warm. Keep unused dried cordyceps in a sealed container in a cool, dry place, where it stores well for a long time. To compare whole cordyceps types before you buy, see wild vs cultivated cordyceps.
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