Birch Sap for Winter
A very wholesome natural drink to put up for winter! In spring, some people head to the woods to gather that treasure trove of vitamins — birch sap. This drink really does contain a huge amount of vitamins and nutrients the body needs. But it's seasonal, so some birch sap lovers preserve it for the winter. Of course, you can buy birch sap in stores almost year-round these days, but its quality and where it came from are anyone's guess. Some people think tapping birch sap does real harm to nature and kills trees, but if you collect it properly and seal the wound afterward, no tree comes to any harm. You should know a few rules for collecting birch sap. Birches that are too young and thin aren't suitable — they have little sap, and tapping them can harm the tree. Neither are old birches, whose sap already carries a hint of bitterness.
Cooking method
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Step 1:
The longest part of putting up birch sap is collecting it. To collect the sap, make a small hole in the trunk and insert a little stick for the sap to run down into a container. It's best to collect it early in the morning. After collecting, be sure to seal the wound on the birch with garden wound sealant.
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Step 2:
There are many different ways to preserve birch sap for winter, with various add-ins: lemon, oranges, black currant, barberries, rose hips, and others. The simplest, classic version is the most popular. You'll need just three ingredients: birch sap, citric acid, and sugar. Pour the birch sap into an enameled pot, set it on the heat, bring it to a boil, and skim the yellow foam off the surface with a slotted spoon.
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Step 3:
Add the sugar and citric acid and let them dissolve, stirring constantly. Turn off the heat. Sterilize jars of the right size by whichever method is convenient: in a water bath, in the oven, or in the microwave. Wash, boil, and dry the lids.
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Step 4:
Pour the birch sap into the prepared jars. Seal them with the lids right away. Turn them upside down and leave them under a warm blanket to cool completely at room temperature.
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Step 5:
Store the jars of birch sap in the refrigerator, pantry, or another cool spot. Sap with citric acid and sugar comes out very tasty, especially chilled. Enjoy!
Caloric content of the products possible in the composition of the dish
- Granulated sugar - 398 kcal/100g
- Sugar - 398 kcal/100g
- Citric acid - 0 kcal/100g
- Birch sap - 24 kcal/100g
