Birch Sap

[SquirrelBoy]

Just been out in my local woods and had my first taste of birch sap. - fantastic !
I made a little `tap` from a twig, then pushed this into the cut in the bark id made with my knife. The sap flowed quite quickly and very soon I had a enough to drink.

It really does amaze me when nature provides like this, makes you feel that much closer to her :-)

[Ed]

You can add a little water, a few young pine needles (or other herbs to taste) and boil it to make a lovely tea.

:-)
Ed

[Dave]

Can you harvest the sap from any type of birch, or just particular species?

[Doc]

I've just been harvesting the birch sap too - quite impressive the speed at which it comes out. I've read it tastes like birch flavoured distilled water - I'd agree, but it does have a vague hint of sweetness.

Unfortunately I don't have any wine making kit!!

[the naughty boy]

birch vampires!!!
birch trees? really,cause i got one outside my flat and i dont want to get poisoned.tell me your kidding.....

[Ed]

birch trees? really,cause i got one outside my flat and i dont want to get poisoned.tell me your kidding.....
Yep.... Its a bushcraft classic!!!

:-)
Ed

[martin]

I've been out today too. Got nearly half a litre from one tree in just over one and a half hours. I make pine needle tea with it too, but don't boil the sap with the needles in add them later when you take it off the heat.
Boiling the needles destorys the vitamin C in them.
How long will Birch Sap keep? In the fridge or out.

[Kath]

What about storing the sap? how long will it keep?

[Viking]

It wont last long, but you can freeze it or make surup of it and it will then hold longer