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Silver Birch

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Bernie66

Joined: 14 Jan 2005
Posts: 13967
Location: Eastoft

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 8:55 am Post subject: Silver Birch
Sap is rising by the gallon. It's positively gushing ATM around my way.

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8604
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 9:38 am Post subject:
Can you use this like Maple Sap? How do you tap it?

Bernie66

Joined: 14 Jan 2005
Posts: 13967
Location: Eastoft

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 9:45 am Post subject:
https://www.youtube.com/user/naturalbushcraft#p/search/1/2RuLlECSPfM Watch a few of these and related videos, you can but it takes boatloads of sap to make syrup. It is used for wine though quite successfully. I think gil has done it.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 10:32 am Post subject:
Every year I intend to make birch sap wine, every year I get swamped by things and fail to get out there and do it. Fingers crossed I can find some time on sunday and actually get on with it

Bernie66

Joined: 14 Jan 2005
Posts: 13967
Location: Eastoft

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 10:34 am Post subject:
I have seen a few birch trees bleeding already and would just urge anyone doing it to make sure that you have got a suitable plug handy for stopping the leak after a max of 24 hours tapping of the sap.

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18409

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 11:43 am Post subject:

Bernie66 wrote:

it takes boatloads of sap to make syrup. It is used for wine though quite successfully. I think gil has done it.

Yes I have, and will probably tap my trees this year.
If you search Downsizer, there are a few threads about birch sap tapping, one of which contains various photos I took of the process.

here's one thread, but pic is missing

Last edited by gil on Fri Mar 11, 11 11:59 am; edited 1 time in total

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 11:44 am Post subject:
I'm glad I've made birch sap wine. One day I'll do it again. It isn't so amazing that I feel an urge to do it often though.

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18409

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 11:51 am Post subject:

Bernie66 wrote:

you can but it takes boatloads of sap to make syrup. .

gil in 2005 wrote:

]sugar maple 40:1
silver birch 80 or 100:1
sycamore even weaker than birch

If you tap a walnut, you risk the nut crop for the year.

Birch : 8 pints of sap to make 2 fl oz syrup. On that basis, I'd rather have a gallon of wine.

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18409

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 11:52 am Post subject:
My Birch Sap wine recipe is in the Recipe Database. It was good. Not made any for a couple of years though. Might be time to make some more.

Northern Boy

Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 976

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 12:55 pm Post subject:
Interesting this, never heard of using birch sap. Anyone used birch sap for uses other than wine or syrup?

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18409

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 12:56 pm Post subject:
Not tried it yet, but I'd like to use birch sap in beer, replacing some of the water.

Mr O

Joined: 13 Feb 2005
Posts: 5512
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 2:09 pm Post subject:
Over here most hardware shops sell spiles and buckets for sap collecting.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 11 2:17 pm Post subject:
Try a little birch sap instead of water with whisky. Surprisingly good.

stuovenden

Joined: 21 Jun 2009
Posts: 15
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 11 10:02 am Post subject:
I tried adding a lemongrass quill into the reduced syrup at the end - works a treat. Pic/recipe here if interested... https://appledrane.blogspot.com/2011/03/birch-sap-and-lemongrass-syrup.html

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18409

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 11 1:57 pm Post subject:
I've got beer brewing, made with birch sap !

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