How to Tap Birch Sap | Making Birch Gin, Birch Syrup & Toffee / Folk History & Benefits

It's the beginning of spring here in Scotland and it's time for the annual tapping of the Birch trees. In this video i'll show you how to tap a birch tree for sap using a sterile drill bit. I'll show you how to choose the best tree and where to drill it as well as how to do it safely without risking infecting the Birch tree. We will also discuss a bit about the folk history and uses of Birch sap before making some delicious Birch syrup pancakes and enjoying them with a homemade Birch sap gin!

Be respectful to the Birch tree and your natural resources. Only tap what you need and don't waste any. If you consider harvesting Birch sap this year why not plant a few more Birch trees nearby to offset any unintentional harm you may do to the trees by tapping them.
00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Choosing your Birch tree
02:20 - Where to drill
02:53 - How to drill
03:35 - Tapping hygiene
04:29 - Drilling the hole and hammering in the tap
06:02 - Container for the sap
06:27 - Selecting a tap for the sap
07:26 - Making my own wooden tap with on/off valve
09:57 - Using rubber hose for the sap
10:29 - When to harvest birch sap
10:57 - Signs from nature about the tapping season
13:10 - What does Birch sap look and smell like?
13:35 - What does Birch sap taste like?
14:05 - Why do I tap the Birch tree?
14:48 - Birch sap and Pine needle tea
16:41 - Nutritional content of Birch Sap
18:05 - Fermenting Birch Sap
18:50 - Birch sap medicinal benefits and folk uses
19:25 - Birch sap for hair and skin
19:50 - History of Birch sap in Scotland
21:18 - Trying the pine needle tea
22:17 - Birch sap history in eastern europe
22:49 - Birch sap history in Scandinavia
23:46 - Birch sap gin
24:57 - Making Birch syrup
26:05 - Making the Birch sap gin
32:04 - Finished Birch Syrup
32:48 - Birch Toffee
32:23 - Making birch syrup pancakes and tasting the gin
35:34 - Finished pancakes with Birch syrup
36:06 - Small pancake for Hemp the dog

Disclaimer:
If you are following the gin recipe in this video you must only use food grade ethanol for the base spirit. Never use Denatured alcohol or any other type of chemical.

Видео How to Tap Birch Sap | Making Birch Gin, Birch Syrup & Toffee / Folk History & Benefits канала Jamie Kunka