When and how to harvest birch sap?
Write the 06/04/2023 by Santarome Bio
The birch , from the Betulaceae family, is a pillar of the forests of Nordic countries such as Finland, Canada and Norway. For centuries, its sap has been highly appreciated for its many health benefits.
Birch sap can be incredibly beneficial to the body in a variety of ways. Not only does it help to regain vitality and drain accumulated toxins, but it also helps to improve the functioning of the kidneys and other emunctory organs. It can effectively complement a slimming diet while remineralizing the joints. Its unique properties make birch sap a powerful ally for health and well-being.
With a colorless and fluid consistency, it has a slightly woody and mineralized taste. Enjoy this natural wonder and all the benefits it provides!
When to collect birch sap
Also called “birch water”, this sap is collected over a period of 3 to 5 weeks at the beginning of spring, just before the first birch leaves appear and preferably during the waxing moon. It is often recommended to remain attentive to the signs of nature to ensure the best results.
How to choose the right birch for harvest?
There are several criteria to consider when choosing the best birch for sap harvesting.
Age: in fact, young trees generally offer better wood harvests and older trees can produce between 1 to 5 liters per day.
The quality of growth: healthy trees will be more productive.
The position of the tree in the forest: trees located in a sunny area have a higher quality than those located in a shady area.
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Soil quality: Birch trees growing in nutrient-rich soils will grow healthier and produce better quality wood.
By spending a little time researching and analyzing these factors, you will ensure you get the most out of your birch sap harvest.
What equipment should I use for harvesting?
Choosing the right tools for harvesting is crucial. Using unsuitable equipment can damage the trunk of birch trees, increase healing time and disrupt the tree's growth cycle. Opting for the right equipment guarantees the quality of the sap collected, while ensuring the safety of the tree.
Collecting birch sap is a rewarding and sustainable activity that can be enjoyed all year round. To make the most of its unique flavor and health benefits, you will need the following equipment:
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A plastic or rubber pipe to collect the sap,
A drill with a drill bit the same size as the pipe,
A container with a large storage capacity for harvesting, storing sap and transporting sap.
How is Santarome Bio birch sap harvested?
At Santarome, we guarantee 100% pure organic birch sap , preservative-free, alcohol-free and unpasteurized, thanks to our unique “from tree to bottle” manufacturing method. Our process involves collection directly from the tree, without any contact with air and other contaminants.
We pierce the bark of the tree, insert into this hole an airtight tip extended by a thin collection pipe.
Then we connect these pipes together to make them converge towards large collection pockets, protected from oxygen.
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Once these large collection bags are full, they are transported to bottling chambers under vacuum.
The Santarome process is revolutionary because it prevents the oxidation of the sap, which allows all the natural qualities and freshness of the product to be preserved. This process also makes it possible to avoid degradation of the tree from which the sap is taken.
How to store birch sap?
To preserve birch sap, it is recommended to:
Filter it to remove impurities and unwanted elements,
Fill it to the brim in a clean, airtight plastic container, making sure it is tightly closed. Indeed, oxidation can cause the development of bad bacteria that can be dangerous to health,
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Store it in the refrigerator at a temperature of around 4°C, where it can last for around 1 to 2 weeks. Avoid freezing it, as this can alter its quality and properties.
After several weeks of storage in the bottle, birch sap naturally begins to ferment, in a process known as lacto-fermentation. This preservation process not only preserves all the nutrients in the birch sap, but also enriches it with important vitamins and trace elements, giving it better probiotic properties. As a result, birch sap is more nutrient dense and can be used for a variety of purposes, including beverage preparation or detox treatment.
Rich in amino acids, vitamin C and minerals, 100% pure and organic birch sap from Santarome is an ideal detox ally.
Precautions for use
Consumption of birch sap requires certain precautions, including:
At the risk of drug interaction, it is imperative to seek medical advice before consuming birch sap,
Not recommended for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women,
Not recommended for people allergic to salicylate derivatives and for people taking anticoagulant treatment,
Avoid consuming birch if you are allergic to birch,
Do not exceed the recommended daily dose,
Store away from light, at a temperature below 25°C.
