TAPPING BIRCH
Find below instructions on how to tap a birch tree and a handful of recipes using the branches and sap from ‘The Lady of the Forest’.
The video below is a detailed example of how to choose and tap your tree. Scroll further to explore the recipes and delights you can make with all parts of the birch tree.
WHAT YOU NEED TO TAP A BIRCH TREE
Landowner permission
A birch tree larger than 30cm in circumference
Drill
Drillbit
Spile
Tubing
Bottle/bucket
Knife
Secateurs
Birch Syrup
What you need:
Birch sap
Method:
Boil down the sap till it resembles the consistency you desire
Birch ‘Honey’
You will need:
Birch sap
Sugar
Method:
For every 1 litre of sap, add 5 tbsp sugar to a pan.
Boil down till the liquid bubbles and caramelises.
Quickly add it to a sterilised jar.
Birch Butter Tarts
You will need:
100ml birch syrup
125g brown sugar
50g melted butter
1tsp vinegar
1stp cornflour
Puff pastry
Method:
Whisk together all the ingredients (except the pastry) till fully combined. This is now your birch butter. You can leave it in the fridge and use it as you wish.
Cut out circles in the puff pastry and add to a baking pan.
Dollop a spoonful of the birch butter into the centre of the pastry.
Bake in the oven on 180C for 20 minutes or until the pasty is fully cooked.
Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Birch Twig Biscuits
You will need:
125g Birch twigs
125g Flour
110g Butter
150g Sugar
1 tsp Birch syrup
50ml milk
½ tsp bicarbonate soda
Method
Break your twigs into small pieces and roast in the oven till fragrant. Allow to fully cool before grinding into a fine flour texture.
Cream together the butter and sugar till fully amalgamated. Add the birch syrup and combine.
Add the birch twig flour, regular flour and bicarbonate soda and mix with your hands till a crumbly consistency.
Add the milk slowly, a tiny bit at a time and form into a solid ball. You may need more or less, so add it a tsp at a time while constantly mixing with your hands.
Roll out the dough and cut into rounds. Sprinkle with sugar.
Transfer to a baking tray and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Cool on a rack before enjoying, dipped into a sweet wine.
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