Birch Water: Can You Drink It?


The Betula Genus trees produce mild sweetness and low caloric water called Birch water. It’s exceptionally high in magnesium, manganese, and antioxidants, making it a refreshing and healthy drink.

The potential health benefits of Birch water have been known in Northern Europe and China for centuries. In addition to being a refreshing beverage, birch water is also used in cosmetics and other skincare products. 

The high concentration of antioxidants makes it an effective skincare ingredient, and it’s also helpful for improving joint function and reducing inflammation. If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious way to stay hydrated, birch water is a great option.

This article will walk you through everything you need to know about birch water, including how to collect it and how long it lasts.

What Is Birch Water?

Birch water is the sap from birch trees harvested in early spring. It’s a clear, colorless liquid with a slightly sweet taste that has been consumed for centuries. Today, you can find bottled birch water online and in stores. Keep in mind that many commercial birch products have added sugars and flavors.

Birch water is rich in nutrients and has many health benefits. Some people believe that it can boost energy levels, improve digestion, and help detoxify the body. It has also been reported that birch water promotes weight loss and reduces inflammation. However, more study is necessary to validate these claims.

If you’re interested in trying birch water, be sure to choose a pure and unprocessed product. You can harvest birch sap yourself or buy it online or in stores. Birch water is best consumed fresh, but it can last up to a week in the fridge. Enjoy!

What Are The Health Benefits Of birch Water?

Birch water has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various ailments. Today, science is beginning to catch up with what traditional medicine has long known. The benefits of drinking birch water are numerous, and one of them is that it contains antioxidants, which can help the body resist cell damage. Birch water is also a good source of minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

Recent studies have shown that birch water may help improve digestion and reduce inflammation. It also has anti-aging properties and can be used as a natural skin care product. It’s no surprise that birch water is becoming more popular, with so many advantages. Consider incorporating it into your diet if you’re searching for a method to improve your health.

How To Harvest Birch Water

Birch tapping is a traditional method of collecting sap from birch trees. The process involves drilling a small hole into the side of the tree and guiding the flow of sap into a container. To tap a tree successfully, selecting a healthy specimen with a minimum trunk diameter of 25 cm is essential. The tree should also have had some time to recover from the last time it was tapped. It is best to drill the hole at an upward angle about 3 cm deep. Once the tapping is complete, the tree will bleed sap for 24 hours. The hole is then closed with a plug to prevent infection. Although birch tapping requires some care and attention, it is a relatively simple process that anyone can carry out.

Drilling a hole in a tree to collect the sweet liquid may appear to be simple, but if you want to succeed in sapping birch water, there are several factors you need to consider.

  1. It is crucial to choose a tree that is ready to be tapped; if the sap is not prepared to flow, then no amount of drilling will change that.
  2. Pay attention to how you drill the tree; if sap appears as soon as it is halfway in, the tree is ready. However, if no sap appears after several minutes of drilling, it is best to stop and try another tree.
  3. Finally, once the sap has been collected, it is essential to plug the wound to prevent disease or pests from entering. After one year of rest, you can tap a tree again.

If you want to get sap from a birch tree, it is the best time to do it in the spring. Birch trees usually produce about 5 liters of sap per day, and the sap is watery so that you can drink it right from the tree.

And it tastes very much like water with a hint of woody sweetness. Birch sap is a great way to stay hydrated while enjoying the outdoors. And, best of all, it’s free! So, enjoy the lovely spring weather while tapping your birch tree for sap.

How Long Does Birch Water Last? 

While birch water has become a popular health drink in recent years, few people know the effort to produce it. Birch sap can expire within days if not properly preserved, and there is only a short window of time in April when the trees can be tapped. 

As a result, birch water is one of the most expensive health drinks. However, many people believe that the health benefits of birch water are worth the high cost. Birch water is rich in electrolytes and minerals, and it has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for digestive issues. While it may not be regularly available or affordable for everyone, those who have access to birch water can enjoy its unique taste and nutritional benefits.

The birch tree’s fresh sap is highly perishable, with a shelf life of only up to 7 days if refrigerated. To extend this precious resource’s usability, you can preserve your sugaring by freezing or preservation techniques.

How To Store Birch Water

Now that you’ve learned how to extract birch sap, the question is, how do you keep it? There are three ways to do it:

  1. You can freeze it in plastic bottles or containers.
  2. Preserve the sap by putting it in glass jars or metal cans.
  3. Turn the sap into syrup and store it in a bottle or container. The syrup will last for several months.

Uses Of Birch Water

Birch water has various potential health benefits, which is why it has been consumed for centuries in certain parts of the world. Some of these benefits include:

  • aiding in weight loss
  • reducing inflammation
  • helping to detoxify the body
  • boosting energy levels

Birch water is used in cosmetics and skincare products

Birch water is great for cleansing and toning the skin. It’s also high in dietary minerals like zinc, potassium, and magnesium. And it can be consumed as a drink or turned into syrup.

Birch water is an excellent source of electrolytes and minerals

Birch water has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for digestive issues. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Birch water can be turned into wine

While the specific origins of birch sap wine are unknown, it is clear that this type of alcohol has been produced for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The production process is relatively simple, involving the addition of yeast and sugar to birch sap, which is then left to ferment. However, creating a high-quality birch sap wine requires both skill and knowledge.

Birch water can also be made into syrup

Birch syrup is a rare and expensive treat, made in much the same way as its more common counterpart, maple syrup. To make birch sap into syrup, the water is removed so that there is more sugar in it. This makes the sap thicker, and it can turn into syrup. As a result, birch sap contains half as much sugar as maple sap, so half as much syrup can be produced. As a result, birch syrup typically sells for up to five times the price of maple syrup. Despite the high cost, birch syrup has become increasingly popular due to its unique flavor and culinary versatility. Whether used as a pancake topping or a marinade for meats, birch syrup adds a deliciously sweet and earthy flavor to any dish.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a refreshing and healthy beverage, you may want to give birch water a try. Birch water is derived from the sap of birch trees and is rich in minerals and antioxidants. It’s particularly high in manganese and magnesium while low in calories and sugar. Some also claim that birch water can improve skin and hair health, though more research is needed.

Birch water is available for purchase in stores or online. However, keep in mind that some brands may add sugar or artificial flavors to their product. As such, it’s best to read the product label before making a purchase carefully. If you’re looking for a healthy and natural beverage, birch water is great. It’s refreshing, hydrating, and has potential health benefits.

Frederik Lamote

Frederik is the founder of Koroway.com, a startup that is 3D printing Treehouses. While exploring treehouse locations around the world he got fascinated by the value and products trees produce.

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