How to Tap Birch Sap | Making Birch Gin, Birch Syrup & Toffee / Folk History & Benefits

It's the beginning of spring here in Scotland and it's time for the annual tapping of the Birch trees. In this video i'll show you how to tap a birch tree for sap using a sterile drill bit. I'll show you how to choose the best tree and where to drill it as well as how to do it safely without risking infecting the Birch tree. We will also discuss a bit about the folk history and uses of Birch sap before making some delicious Birch syrup pancakes and enjoying them with a homemade Birch sap gin! Be respectful to the Birch tree and your natural resources. Only tap what you need and don't waste any. If you consider harvesting Birch sap this year why not plant a few more Birch trees nearby to offset any unintentional harm you may do to the trees by tapping them. 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - Choosing your Birch tree 02:20 - Where to drill 02:53 - How to drill 03:35 - Tapping hygiene 04:29 - Drilling the hole and hammering in the tap 06:02 - Container for the sap 06:27 - Selecting a tap for the sap 07:26 - Making my own wooden tap with on/off valve 09:57 - Using rubber hose for the sap 10:29 - When to harvest birch sap 10:57 - Signs from nature about the tapping season 13:10 - What does Birch sap look and smell like? 13:35 - What does Birch sap taste like? 14:05 - Why do I tap the Birch tree? 14:48 - Birch sap and Pine needle tea 16:41 - Nutritional content of Birch Sap 18:05 - Fermenting Birch Sap 18:50 - Birch sap medicinal benefits and folk uses 19:25 - Birch sap for hair and skin 19:50 - History of Birch sap in Scotland 21:18 - Trying the pine needle tea 22:17 - Birch sap history in eastern europe 22:49 - Birch sap history in Scandinavia 23:46 - Birch sap gin 24:57 - Making Birch syrup 26:05 - Making the Birch sap gin 32:04 - Finished Birch Syrup 32:48 - Birch Toffee 32:23 - Making birch syrup pancakes and tasting the gin 35:34 - Finished pancakes with Birch syrup 36:06 - Small pancake for Hemp the dog Disclaimer: If you are following the gin recipe in this video you must only use food grade ethanol for the base spirit. Never use Denatured alcohol or any other type of chemical.