Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

**** The Company did finally reply an answered one of my questions about the extraction process. Below is the email in its entity. I was a bit surprised that they did not try to ensure my satisfaction, or insist on the quality of the product. You would think that if they believed in what they were selling, they would make a concerted effort to influence my opinion of their company. My eyebrow is still raised because of the color, consistency, smell and taste. It's definitely different than other chaga products I have experienced to date. If they would offer an explanation, I would feel more confident in what I was ingesting is, in fact, the chaga product I want the benefits from. Just my skepticism. "Dear ____" This is Chaga Extract process: Dried chaga mushroom (Raw) - inspect - cleaning - primary cutting - Extraction (1st : 60% chaga, 40% water, boiling with 194-203F / 90-95C for 1.5 hour, 2nd : 30% chaga, 70% water, boiling with 194F / 90C for 1.5 hour. Then collect extract liquid ). Sincerely, MOI ORIGINAL REVIEW - My review is based on the company responsiveness and the lack of real information about the product, how it is sourced, how it is extracted, it's lighter color, and its almost cocoa powder-like appearance (rather than almost black crystalline appearance of another brand I bought). I cannot say if it works or not yet. I wanted people to know about my experience which is why i rated it a 1 star - visibility. I am new to Chaga, but I am very interested in the heart-health and immunity benefits that I have been told about. I decided to try several types of extracts, teas and capsules (have not yet received my backordered capsules). The price of this MicroIngredients brand was attractive, and for 2-3x more for the price of others. That makes me initially skeptical as well. There is one brand of extract that is 3x as expensive, but they have a tremendous amount of information about the things I wished to know (Source, extraction process, texture, quality, etc). The flavor of the other brand is earthy and mellow, but much more robust that this. The texture of the more expensive dry product is granular (like what granulated sugar would look like if it were black), with a bit of a crystalline sheen. This MicroIngredients product looks like very fine baking cocoa powder. The smell and the taste also has a bit of cocoa powder taste, and is far less earthy /mushroomy than the other. Just observations for someone who is new to Chaga. Comparing the two in hot water, both turn 6-7oz of water very dark - almost black. The more expensive on creates a light brown froth. The Microingredient product does not produce any froth at all. Again, the depth of earthy flavor is definitely laking in the Microingredient product. At a 100:1 ratio, this also raised a red flag for me. The microingredient product dissolves almost completely, with only a little tar-like residue on the stirring spoon that eventually dissolves away. The more expensive product sticks to itself for a LOT longer, and needs to be stirred in longer. The easy dissolving is nice, but it also suggests a difference - for better or worse - in the product quality itself. So, I was NOT writing off this product - I merely sought more information to educate myself before forming a strong opinion. 3x more for the same price is a big WIN, especially if the effects, appearance, texture and taste differences were nominal at best. BUT - There is no real information on the bag. The back is blank, Sure, it has all the stamps of Organic, Non GMO. 1) Those are just badges that anyone can put on a package, and 2) they says nothing about the product. The ingredients say: Organic Chaga Mushroom.... Other ingredients, None. But who is to say? SO - I tried to contact the company with my questions. How is it sourced, how is it extracted (heat/cold etc), why is it so fine, and why does it have such a light color and a much milder flavor, etc.? I also enquired about a potential return of the second bag I bought before trying the product. I was HOPING to be give information that would have reassured me of the quality, and the reasons for the difference in appearance and taste. Truly, I wanted peace of mind in this product because the price is unbeatable. NOTHING - i did not receive even an acknowledgment that I had submitted an enquiry on their website. Not even a Thank you email... just a note on their website (after hitting send) that said someone would be responding soon. I messaged them twice in the course of about 5 days before writing this review. So, I am left to believe that there is something scammy about this product. If they get back to me with satisfactory answers to my questions, I will be SURE to update this review.