- Useful properties
- Collecting and billet
- Birch kvass
Birch sap has gained popularity in the 20s of last century. You can say that he was one of the symbols of that era. But gradually the demand for this drink began to fall. And in vain! After all, it has not only a unique refreshing taste, but also a lot of useful substances in its composition.
If the juice is harvested on time and properly harvested for future use, then all of its valuable components will remain intact.
We suggest you to consider the basic principles of collection and storage rules for this stunning drink and familiarize yourself with some recipes based on it.
Useful properties of
What is useful for birch sap? His secret lies in the composition, which includes:- vitamins;
- fruit sugars;
- tanning agents;
- more than 10 organic acids;
- enzymes;
- macronutrients;
- microelements;
- phytoncides;
- essential oils;
- saponins;
- betulol.
With the first sample, birch sap can taste like ordinary tap water, but due to its unique composition it has a positive effect on the work of the whole organism. The components of this birch liquid normalize metabolic processes and promote the removal of harmful toxins and carcinogens.
This drink is highly recommended for people suffering from lung diseases. It is effective for coughing, angina and bronchitis, quickly eliminates headaches and leads the body to tone. Birch juice in complex treatment helps to cope with liver diseases, gout, sciatica and arthritis. He will relieve of chronic fatigue, lethargy and drowsiness.
The unique properties of birch sap are used for splitting stones in the kidneys and bladder. With it, you can quickly heal wounds, ulcers, boils and traces from them, acne and other skin imperfections. It is indicated in diseases of the stomach, and due to a strong diuretic effect it quickly eliminates swelling of a different nature.
This natural drink has found its application in the field of cosmetology. It helps to cope with hair loss, baldness, and is also used to improve the condition of the skin of the face and body, eliminating pigmentation spots and evening the skin color.
But, despite the obvious benefit, the health of some category of people birch juice can bring and harm. Its excessive use is not recommended for patients suffering from gastric ulcer. And if there is an allergy to the pollen of birches from its application should be completely abandoned.
Collecting and billet
What is birch sap? At its core is a liquid that flows out of broken branches and cut birch trunks. Root pressure causes the skin to separate through the cracks in the wood, and if a suitable container is installed in time, then a fairly large amount of juice can be collected in a short time.
When to collect?
To begin with, consider when to collect birch sap. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine the exact date, since it will depend on the region where the birch grows. It is necessary to be guided directly to weather conditions and as soon as the snow starts to melt - this will be a clear sign that it's time to start collecting.
Tip! Determine the beginning of the sap movement is simple enough. With the help of a conventional awl it is necessary to make a puncture on the trunk of the birch and if the liquid begins to ooze out of it, then it is possible to proceed to collection.
During a day, about 3 liters of sap may come running from one tree, and from very large ones up to 7 liters. The collection of birch sap is about to end in the second half of April, when the birch buds begin to blossom.
Important! Collect the juice only in an ecologically clean area, as the birch is able to absorb exhaust gases and accumulate harmful substances.
How to collect?
Now it is necessary to tell how to collect birch sap. Always choose trees with a well-developed crown and a barrel diameter of at least 20 cm, since the sweetest sap can be obtained from mature birches.
When a tree is selected, a hole should be made in its trunk at a distance of 20 cm from the ground level. It inserts a plastic or birch bark trough, through which the juice will flow into a container or a bag, installed directly under the hole.
How many holes can be made in one tree:
- with a stem diameter up to 25 cm - one;
- with a diameter of up to 35 cm - two;
- with diameter up to 40 cm - three;
- with a diameter of more than 40 cm - a maximum of four.
After collecting the juice, it is very important to help the tree heal the wound. To do this, close the hole with moss or wax, so that no harmful bacteria enter it, the activity of which can lead to the death of the birch.
Important! Remember that after you break the integrity of the trunk, the "wound" will immediately begin to tighten, and therefore the amount of the released pasoki will constantly decrease. And if there is a significant stopping of the sucking, do not again "pick" the trunk - you need to change the tree.
Some fineness of the
- collection You can not use young birch to collect.
- In order to make a hole, you need to apply a drill with a ten-millimeter drill, because with an ax you will cause serious damage to the tree. And after the drill, "wounda" heals quickly and there is no trace after it.
- Do not make a hole too deep, since the coagulation occurs in the upper layers - just below the bark.
- The most intensely solder is released in the interval between 12 and 18 hours.
- If the birch is drained of all the liquid, it can lead to its death, so you need to collect no more than a liter from one barrel per day.
And lastly - how to store birch sap. Collected pasoku should be placed in the refrigerator, where it will keep its freshness about 2 days. If you want to extend this period, we recommend making kvass out of juice.
Birch kvass
Birch pasoku for the first two days after harvesting can be consumed in pure form or mixed with other juices, so you get a low-calorie toning drink that is beautifulquench your thirst and fill your body with useful substances.
Tip! From this natural product you can make a fruit cocktail, sweet syrup and even birch wine.
But the most famous and popular drink that is prepared from birch sap is kvass. To make it, several specific components must be added to the bag. Let's consider the most common recipes of kvass based on birch sap.
Classic birch kvass
- Heat the juice to + 35 ° C.
- One liter of soy beans should be put 15 g of yeast and 4 raisins.
- Banks tightly closed with lids.
- Leave for 2 weeks.
After a specified period of time you will get an invigorating drink with a pleasant sour taste.
Honey kvass
- Add 5 liters of juice to the container.
- Add the juice of 2 lemons, 25 g of yeast, 15 ml of honey and a small handful of raisins.
- Stir and pour over cans.
- Leave for 2 weeks in a cool shaded area.
Warning! If you can not wait to try kvass, then it can be consumed after 5 days.
A ready-made drink can be stored throughout the summer, and it does not lose its flavor qualities and does not deteriorate.
That's interesting! In 1936, under Sverdlovsk, production of sparkling wines based on birch sap was established, which in their properties were very much like champagne. And in the USA today from this molasses produce a syrup similar to maple, a method of evaporating the juice on an open fire in a wooded area.
Also in the juice can be added a variety of dried fruits, berries and herbs. Here everything will depend on your taste and personal preferences. Create unique birch drinks and please them with the taste of your guests and loved ones.