Beryozovy Sok (Birch juice) is the sap from a Birch tree. It is a
water-like sweet liquid. It’s the only kind of juice in Russia that is
venerated in songs about the love of the Motherland.
The ancient Slavs worshiped various Pagan gods and Birch was one of the most sacred trees. At that time it was forbidden to take the juice from the tree for regular use – it was to be saved for rituals. But after the introduction of Christianity the ban gradually disappeared. And people started to collect Birch nectar for everyday needs.
The ancient Slavs worshiped various Pagan gods and Birch was one of the most sacred trees. At that time it was forbidden to take the juice from the tree for regular use – it was to be saved for rituals. But after the introduction of Christianity the ban gradually disappeared. And people started to collect Birch nectar for everyday needs.
To
collect the sap you have to go to the Birch grove, of course. The only
time you can get the juice is during the 20 day period from the middle
of March to the beginning of April – that’s when the core of the tree is
filled with juice. During some winters this period may be reduced to
10-12 days. Because of melting snow it’s important to wear rubber boots –
otherwise one can get soaked.
Read more here
Due to an unusually mild (and very wet, I might add) winter in parts of Europe, Scandinavia and The U.K., Birch sap collection could possibly start earlier this year.
Due to an unusually mild (and very wet, I might add) winter in parts of Europe, Scandinavia and The U.K., Birch sap collection could possibly start earlier this year.
I vividly remember how we used to collect Birch tree juice as
children. We would cut a suitable branch off at an angle and hang a glass bottle
on it and return the next day to find a full bottle of sweet divine
birch nectar. Wonderful childhood memories!
