Birch water tastes refreshing and is he althy. In stores it is offered for sale packaged and preserved. It can come fresh and free from your own garden or forest. A vessel, craftsmanship and a little patience, that's all you need.
How do I draw birch water from a birch tree?
Drillingin March or April into a thickerbirch trunkat 1 m trunk height diagonally from below3, 5 to 4 cm deep hole with 0.5 cm diameter. Insert a tube and attach a container to collect the birch water.
Which birch tree can I tap?
Only tap birch trees that belong to you or for which you have obtained permission from the owner. The North AmericanSweet Birchand theSilver Birchare ideal. However, the birch tree trunk shouldmin. 35 cm circumference. Young birch trees should not be tapped at all, or at most once when they are young. Spare birch trees on slopes as they have a harder time compensating for fluid loss.
How often can I tap a birch tree?
After drilling, the birch tree needs time to close the resulting wounds. It is recommended that you only tap it again after abreak of two yearsin order not to weaken the birch tree too much. When tapping, limit yourself to1-2 drill holes per tree, preferably on the south side of the trunk, as the sap flow is increased here.
How much water can be tapped from a birch tree?
How much water you can harvest depends on the age and size of the birch tree. However, do not take more thanfive liters from any specimen, as it requires strength to form flowers and leaves.
Do I have to close the outlet opening again?
The exit opening is usually closed with a suitably carvedwooden stubbleor acork, and then protected with a resin coat. You can handle it that way too. However, experience has shown that the small drilling injury can heal well even without closure. In any case, the gardening world does not agree on whether wounds heal better with or without closure.
Does tapping harm the tree?
Conservationists think yes, because they take the position that no harm should be done to the birch tree at all, and specifically denounce the following facts:
- Bark and underlying layer are injured
- Pathogens can penetrate inside
- the birch tree lacks the water for its own he althy development
For the proponents of tapping, practice has shown that the birch can cope with this damage quickly and easily.
What does birch water actually taste like and what is it good for?
Freshly poured birch water tastesslightly sweetAfter 2-3 days it ferments, giving it a slightly sour aroma. But it can also be made into wine, honey wine, beer or syrup, which changes the taste accordingly. The vitamin C-rich drink is said to have, among other things,anti-inflammatoryanddetoxifying.
Tip
Purchased birch water is usually unhe althier than self-drawn water
Commercial birch products are often not as pure as the water that flows directly from the birch tree. This is because sugar and flavors are often added to them.
