Discover the Health Benefits of Birch Sap
A Natural Detox and Rejuvenation Drink for Spring: Unlocking the Power of Birch Sap for Holistic Health and Wellness
Birch sap beautifully accompanies the beginning of spring. As a beverage, it gently detoxifies and remineralizes the body, offering a refreshing renewal. Sap's rise depends on weather conditions. With a late autumn and an upcoming cold winter, the harvest is predicted to start around March 15th, but conditions can change rapidly in the mountains.
End of February, It Begins
The ideal time for birch sap collection is between late February and mid-March, during an alternation of very cold nights and bright, mild days. During these periods, the sap flows abundantly. Collecting birch sap involves delving deep into forests, often requiring clearing paths and preparation with the agreement of the ONF (National Forest Office). The best birches for sap are large specimens found in nearly inaccessible forest areas.
Making Your Own Birch Sap? Yes, in Theory
Theoretically, anyone can extract birch sap by making an incision in the bark, drilling a few centimeters, and placing a straw in the hole to guide the sap into a container. The hole is then sealed with a plug of leaves. However, the tree must be large enough, a Betula pubescens, and the process must be done carefully to avoid harming the tree. In practice, professional sap extractors handle this task to ensure the process is done correctly and sustainably.
Extraction: An Industrial Process in Canada, Still Very Artisanal in France
Comparable to logging, sap extraction in Canada involves complex equipment with tanks mounted on large machines. In France, the process remains more artisanal, but a harvesters' union is expected to certify harvesting methods soon. The demand for birch sap is growing, and harvesters are increasingly equipped to meet this need. Once harvested, the sap must be shipped immediately due to its short shelf life.
The Purest and Freshest Sap Possible
Birch sap is naturally stable and does not require preservatives or pasteurization. It is pure and keeps well, but the sooner it is consumed, the better. The collected liquid is white and no more viscous than water, and its taste gradually changes to a "whey" flavor at the end of the cure. For optimal freshness, keep the sap cool.
Like Draining a Battery to Recharge It Better
Birch sap is the preferred spring cure for eliminating winter toxins. Northern European peoples have used "birch water" in spring cures since the 12th century. The sap's draining and diuretic properties help eliminate organic waste like uric acid and cholesterol, improving skin problems and other conditions related to toxin saturation.
Birch sap offers essential minerals and trace elements needed to recharge the body. It is an exceptional remineralizer, providing bioavailable organic silicon, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, lithium, and other trace elements. These nutrients support heart health, blood circulation, mood balance, oxidative stress reduction, and overall wellness.
A 5-Liter Cure... Ideal
A 5-liter birch sap cure is ideal for enthusiasts, offering enough for a 21-day detox. It is sold in a bag-in-box, similar to summer rosé wine. For those new to birch sap, 500ml glass bottles are recommended for testing.
Reserve Your Cure
Birch sap production in France is growing, and many eagerly await the harvest each year. To reserve a birch sap cure, visit the Vegetal Water website.
If You Missed the Season
Birch sap can now be consumed year-round. Choose bottles packaged using the vacuum "tree to bottle" method, awarded in Finland, which stabilizes fresh birch sap long-term without preservatives.