Healthy cup of tea?

If you can identify this chunk of stuff, you're probably healthier than I am!

It's chaga, a fungus hacked off a birch tree somewhere in Saskatchewan. It was given to me on a recent trip to Ness Creek by my friend Curtis, who's collecting and exporting Saskatchewan chaga. According to Curtis, his America buyer says it's the best chaga on the market.

Chaga (as it's called in Russia) is said to be extremely high in antioxidants and, therefore, good for whatever ails you. Curtis says it cured his arthritis.

He instructed me to scrape off some chaga (it's very hard) and infuse it to make a powerful tea. I hear the kettle whistling...

You can contact Curtis through facebook.