Birch Sap

[dunlin]

Hi all,
I was reading about birch sap,it apparently starts to rise from the root sometime in spring. And was hoping someone had tried it and could give me some advice.
1, when is the best time to do it

2, how much can you safely take without causing the tree any harm

3, what does it taste like

4, has anyone tried making wine from it

any advise would be appreciated as im a complete novice. I believe its still done in sweden and canada but i dont know of anyone doing it over here.

.........cheers mark n.............

ps:- its supposed to be very good for people who suffer from hay fever...

[Stewy]

Plenty of people do it Mark, have a peek here.

River Cottage :: View topic - March Masterclass

[Stewy]

More info here.

Birch tapping? about now?

[dunlin]

Hi stewy,
Thanks for the reply,wine recipe and information. I didnt realise people where starting tapping so soon in the year thought it was around the end of feb beginning of march.
Might try norway maple as well as birch as there is a norway maple next to where i work.
Have you tried it yourself and if so what does it taste like and how long will it keep if refridgerated.
Once again many thanks stewy for replying i wasnt sure if anyone would know what i was talking about.
........cheers mark n........

[Stewy]

Originally Posted by dunlin

Hi stewy,
Thanks for the reply,wine recipe and information. I didnt realise people where starting tapping so soon in the year thought it was around the end of feb beginning of march.
Might try norway maple as well as birch as there is a norway maple next to where i work.
Have you tried it yourself and if so what does it taste like and how long will it keep if refridgerated.
Once again many thanks stewy for replying i wasnt sure if anyone would know what i was talking about.
........cheers mark n........

Sorry to confuse Mark, these are old threads if you check the dates, I think you are correct in the March sort of time.

[Stewy]

No, not had a go myself but would be willing to give it a try, sorry that I can't give you any first hand knowledge on the subject.

[dunlin]

Thanks for the info stewy,
I will write another thread in the next month or two and let you know what its like to taste.
........cheers mark n.........

[Highland Damsel]

Moniack winery in Muir of Ord near Inverness make birch sap wine, can't remember if i'v tried it sorry, you should find it on the Internet.

[outdoorguy]

done it a few times.. tastes very pure.. and i remember even on a warm day it came out cold.. most refreshing.. u can just cut a v low down on the tree and it will trickle out.. better still put a small twig in the point of the v.. this will help it run into any container that u use.. most eco way is to drill it and put a wooden peg the same size as the hole with a channel cut into it.. wont waist any that way and then make another peg and hammer it into the hole to stop the tree 'bleeding'.. difficult to explain.. easy to do.. check out ray mears wild food dvd.. awesome.. hope this helps anyway.. james

[coasty]

I made some wine from it years ago,,, I am afraid the result was ,,,mmm how can I put it,,,Yes the result was dreadful,,,, It was what I rather imagine petrol to taste like,,,

However I was never much of a wine maker

Andy