Birch & Sycamore Sap Wine

[Heltor Chasca]

Last weekend I was gifted a gallon of birch sap and just over a gallon of sycamore sap from a number of trees.

The sap was tapped carefully, hygienically and with respect for the trees used. All the trees have had suitable wooden dowels inserted, stopping any further sap flow. A couple were on my property and the others with knowledge of the land owner.

Most of the sap is being made into separate variations of wine: Birch and Sycamore respectively. I used Roger Phillip’s recipe from his “Wild Food” book which to me sounded like just the recipe needed. Yesterday I strained the chopped up raisins after a week’s fermentation and I’ve put all the strained liquor back into clean demi-johns to finish fermenting. The rest I have drunk straight and I made a little sycamore syrup. Remarkable to say the least! I've also had some hot with camomile tea and it was great!

The only tough task ahead of me now is deciding whether to have fizzy birch and sycamore wine or still when it comes to bottling. The bottles are strong enough. But is my will?

I’ll let you know the results in 6 months time. All the best…hc

[mshergold]

I'd love to know how this turns out. Apparently one of the Tzars loved it and Russian peasants used to make so much whole birch forests were killed (according to CCJ Berry).

[benna]

yep I read the same thing. I really wanted to try it this year but alas I couldn't find any birch trees near me that weren't in peoples gardens, admittedly I probably should have tried a little harder, next year. let us know how it gets on. How many gallons did you say you had? try one still and one sparkling maybe..

[Bobba]

Definitely keep us updated on this one! Some pics would be great also

[FlourPower]

I love silverbirch wine but struggle to find it for sale anywhere. Do you have any info regarding proper methods of sap collection and a recipe?

[Heltor Chasca]

I love silverbirch wine but struggle to find it for sale anywhere. Do you have any info regarding proper methods of sap collection and a recipe?

I chose Roger Phillips's book "Wild Food" for the recipe, but Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's book "A Cook an the Wildside" has a great recipe too.

Tapping is well worth doing properly - You can literally "bleed" a tree to death if you get it wrong. There's lots of info in the source below to do it properly. Don't be nervous - It's very easy and very rewarding.

The "Bushcraft UK" forum has oodles of information on tapping, dates to tap, correct and respectable methods of tapping, recipes and more. It's a great forum and there are lots of resourceful people on it. Go into the sub-forum "yummy grub" and search "tapping" or "sap".

Best of luck with next year's "harvest".

[Geezah]

How do I get tree sap off the bottom of my tennis shoe? We had some wood delivered and I just stepped in tree sap with my tennis shoes. How do I get it off? I'd like to avoid ruining the rubber sole if possible. Thanks!

Put the shoe in a gallon FV add some water, sugar and yeast.
3-4 weeks later the sap should be fully removed from your shoe.