Other hardwoods can be tapped and their sap made into syrup, it’s just that maple is the tastiest, with the Sugar Maple being what we think of when it comes to making syrup. Birch and Walnut are probably the most common alternatives.
Just be careful with burch sap. You might find that you’re allergic to it and it’s pollen. The hives from the pollen is no joke.
Funny thing, in my family we’re all allergic to birch pollen. So before the pollen season we often tap some birch sap and drink to bolster our immune system in advance. Dunno if there’s any science behind it, but in my experience it’s done wonders.
I think in context, I think you are desensitizing rather than bolstering. 👆 You may have meant that, 👈 but in case you didn’t.
I’ve heard that eating local honey similarly lowers your allergy response to local pollen, and I believed that, so I’ll believe this too.
Interesting — is the birch sap/syrup more allergenic than maple? I’m allergic to birch to some extent maybe more than other trees. But also I’m pretty sure I’m allergic to maple also (and many other trees) but eat maple syrup no problem.
I don’t know about other countries but in Finland people sometimes extract and drink birch sap. We call it mahla.
Interesting! TIL. I have only tried “birch beer” — birch flavored root beer
My aunt used to live in Pennsylvania and when I’d visit her, she’d buy me this birch beer that was to die for. It was clear and I think local to the area. I’ve never been able to remember the brand. I should ask her!
You wouldn’t think of it as traditionally delicious, but gum arabic is in lots of foods as a stabilizer.
Birch sap is also tasty!
It’s the best of the best!
So, …it’s what the Canadian Tree Vampires crave!
