How to store birch sap at home

How to store birch sap? Whole or fresh - no way. Berezovitsa is essentially ordinary water. And, it would seem, it should remain unspoiled for a long time. But no. It contains so many substances that after two days, even in the refrigerator, it begins to mold. But what can you do - bacteria and microorganisms also love birch “water”.

But sometimes you want to enjoy birch sap when there is autumn slush outside, summer heat, winter cold... What to do? Usually - save for future use.

Birch sap is stored in three ways:

deep freeze;
canning or evaporation;
preparation of drinks;

It is clear that the taste and amount of nutrients change slightly after processing birch bark. But there is no other way.

How to properly store birch sap in the freezer

A regular freezer is not suitable for long-term storage of birch sap.
A prerequisite must be the presence of a quick freezing function. In a simple refrigerator, juice freezes for a long time and this does not have the best effect on its composition. Birch “water” is poured into small portions, approximately 200-300 ml, and subjected to shock freezing.

Why small? Because defrosted it is also stored for only 2 days. So why drag out the whole block to drink a glass? It is much more convenient to thaw birch sap in portions at a time.

Advice. It is not recommended to store birch tree in bags. It is better to pour it into special food containers.

how to collect birch sap

Rolling birch sap for the winter with kiwi

Home canning is not considered a complicated process. The drink goes well not only with citrus fruits, but also with other fruits. Citrus fruits include lemon and orange; tangerine is not suitable, it is bitter. I decided to add kiwi in this recipe. I found a method of canning on the Internet from a well-known company that prepares the drink on an industrial scale.

Ingredients:

juice - 3 liters;
sugar - 200 grams;
kiwi - 100 grams.

Cooking steps:

1. The jars must be thoroughly washed and sterilized; they are placed in a convenient place. I take fresh, clean and clear juice, preferably collected within 24 hours. I cut the kiwi into small slices 0.5 cm thick. For each jar you need 1 glass of granulated sugar, or 200 grams.

2. While I’m carrying out all these manipulations, I have birch sap boiling on the stove. As soon as it boils, I carefully skim off the foam. I pour the boiling drink into jars and roll them under iron lids. I dissolve the sugar in a closed jar; it needs to be cooled slightly, then shaken or rolled on the floor.

I don’t turn this preserve upside down, I just cover it with a light blanket. We drink this drink on hot summer days when we want to quench our thirst.

Canning for the winter

Birch sap must be heated to a temperature of about 80-85°C, then poured into glass bottles or jars, and sealed with tin lids. After all procedures, the sealed containers must be pasteurized for an additional 15-20 minutes at 90°C.

Jars with precious contents that have cooled at room temperature can be safely stored in a dark, cool place for 6-8 months.

Another way to store birch sap is evaporation. At a temperature of 60°C, birch sap is heated for a long time, evaporating its volume to 25% of the total. That is, if initially there were 10 liters of liquid, then at the end only 2.5 liters should remain.

The juice will turn out a caramel brown color, but that's normal. It is poured into containers, closed like usual homemade twists and put away in the basement or cellar.

The resulting drink is not consumed whole. It must be diluted with clean water in a ratio of 1 part juice to 3 parts water.

Advice. To be completely safe, the drink is poured into bottles and cans to the very top so that no air remains. For the same reason, the lids are coated with liquid wax or paraffin.

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A simple recipe for birch sap with orange and lemon under iron lids

The benefits of the drink in the modern world cannot be questioned; it really has a positive effect on the body. Our distant ancestors knew about this in Rus'. They valued the drink not only for its pleasant taste, at that time it was considered a folk medicine; it was used to treat coughs and restore the body after illness. This recipe keeps well, don’t miss this opportunity today, stock up on it for future use.

Ingredient proportions for 4 liters:

juice;
sugar 10 tbsp.
orange and lemon slices.

1. Strain the juice through cheesecloth into a stainless steel pan to prevent any specks from getting in. You can also use an enamel container. I also add chopped fruit slices and sugar according to the norm, stir until completely dissolved, turn on the heat, and bring to a boil.

2. I pour the hot drink into ladles into sterilized jars.

3. I also send citrus slices there and add liquid to the very top of the jar.

4. I seal it with tightly sterilized lids, turn it upside down, cover it with a warm blanket, and leave it to cool for a day.

This method of preservation has many fans, as the combination of orange and lemon flavors gives it a piquant and sophisticated charm.

Drinks made from birch “water”

If you don’t want to bother with twists, then making drinks is your choice. Wonderful kvass, balms, and fruit drinks are made from birch sap. There are a great many recipes, below are the simplest, but no less tasty.

Kvass

Add 4 tsp to 2 liters of birch sap at room temperature. no top sugar and a medium handful of raisins. Add grated lemon zest, a few favorite berries, and fruit slices to taste. The mixture is thoroughly mixed, poured into glass bottles, then put into fermentation in a cool, dark place for 7 days.

After a week, the kvass is filtered and drunk. This drink can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

By the way, raisins are not washed before storing, otherwise the fermentation process will occur with mold.

Advice. If you add pine needles instead of fruits or berries, the kvass will be not only tasty with a pleasant aroma, but also healthy with a high content of vitamin C.

Balm

Mix 5 liters of birch sap, 1 liter of high-quality red wine (preferably homemade, without preservatives and chemical additives), 1.5 kg of granulated sugar, 2 washed and finely chopped lemons. Cover the resulting mixture with tight lids, but do not roll it up. Put away for two months in a cool place (cellar, underground).

Afterwards they are filtered and allowed to “rest” for another 21 days. You can enjoy it!

Advice. The balm is not consumed as an independent drink. It is added to tea, cocktails, coffee.

Morse

Fruit juice from birch sap is prepared with the addition of any berries that are on hand. They are squeezed out and the liquid is set aside. The remaining pulp is poured with birch grass and placed in an already boiling water bath. Heat for no more than 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.

Then mix with previously prepared berry juice, cool and drink. If desired, sweeten with sugar or natural honey.

This drink perfectly quenches thirst, gives the body a boost of energy and strength, and replenishes the vitamin and mineral balance.

The resulting elixir can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Advice. Birch “water” is harvested early in the spring, when there are no berries in season yet. What's stopping you from taking frozen ones from last summer? There are probably a few bags left in the freezer with last year's supplies.

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Methods for storing birch sap: tips and tricks

Preservation of a natural product is the most correct solution that allows you to preserve the beneficial vitamin and mineral supplements of natural liquid for a long time.

We offer an interesting option on how to seal birch sap in order to preserve its energy value for a long time:

Birch concentrate. It is quite easy to produce a concentrate from birch sap at home. The liquid is heated to 60 ºС and 75% of the total volume of the natural product is evaporated. However, for high-quality preparation of a freeze-dried product, it is better to use an autoclave.
Sterilization. Before pouring the concentrate into containers, you need to prepare glass containers. The heated concentrate to 80 degrees Celsius is poured into jars, covered with a tin lid and sterilized in a water bath for 20-30 minutes.
The final stage is preserving the vitamin preparation.

After cooling, such preservation can be stored not only in the refrigerator, but also in other places where the ambient temperature does not fall below zero.

How to properly roll up birch sap to preserve vitamin reserves until the next season? It is very useful to preserve birch sap with pine needles:

Wash and scald the pine buds with boiling water so that no waxy coating remains on them.
Coniferous shoots and birch sap are mixed in a copper basin.
The whole mass is brought to a boil and simmered over low heat for 10-15 minutes.
The future pine-birch sap is infused for 10-12 hours.
After straining, sugar and citric acid are added to the liquid. If desired, you can add orange or barberry to diversify the taste.
The entire mixture is brought to a boil and boiled for 3-5 minutes, after which it is poured into prepared sterilized jars, which are sealed.

Necessary ingredients for pine-birch sap: for 1 liter of birch sap take 500 g of pine buds, 0.5 kg of sugar and 2 tsp. citric acid.

A drink containing birch sap and mint is very tasty and refreshing. For 10 liters of natural product, take 50 g of dry mint. All ingredients are mixed and brought to a boil. After infusion for 5-6 hours, sugar and citric acid are added to the resulting liquid. The product is preserved in the same way as pine-birch sap.

On a note! Canned vitamin drink preparations can be supplemented with various components that will be beneficial for the body in the autumn-winter period.

In addition, you can prepare canned birch vinegar for the winter. For 2 liters of juice, take 100 g of vodka or diluted alcohol and 50 g of natural bee honey. The ingredients are mixed together and placed in a warm place to ripen. Homemade birch vinegar will be ready in 70-90 days. The product is bottled and stored in the refrigerator.

Valuable utilities

In the old days, birch trees were left to ferment without additives. The result was an intoxicating drink with a low alcohol content. It’s unlikely that a modern person will like the taste, but what’s stopping you from trying it?
Pure, untreated birch “water” is transparent and resembles spring water. The appearance of air bubbles or whitish foam indicates that the drink has spoiled. This liquid should not be consumed or processed.
Freshly extracted birch sap is a very useful drink for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
After preparation, kvass can be infused with linden flowers, St. John's wort, and chamomile. This will only add more nutrients and the taste will become richer.
Only fresh birch sap is suitable for preservation. If it has been standing for 2 days, it can no longer be saved by sterilization. But it is still suitable for making kvass.
If, when collected from a tree, the birch tree appears cloudy with a yellow tint, then time has already been lost. We have to wait until next year.

How to store birch sap? In order for it to retain its valuable properties for as long as possible, it is best to store it directly in birch. And extract according to the season and in quantities for personal use. People say there is a time for everything.

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Birch sap - beneficial and harmful properties of the drink

The collection of the vitamin drink begins in early spring, when the first signs of a thaw appear, and continues almost until flowering begins.

On a note! The process of obtaining healing liquid is based on flow from broken or cut branches and/or tree trunk.

Under the influence of root pressure, the accumulated liquid comes out. From one tree, 2-3 liters of juice are obtained per day, and sometimes the productivity reaches 7-8 liters. In the middle of the last century, birch sap was especially popular. It was the No. 1 drink in the Soviet Union.

Due to its energy value and high vitamin content, it was recommended for use in preschool and educational institutions. The freshly harvested product contains:

Sugar – 0.5-2.5%.
Ash – 0.3%.
Essential oils, vitamins B6 and B12, betulin, saponins - up to 15%.
Water – 80-85%.

In addition, birch sap contains from 0.7 to 4.5 g/l of various dry mineral components and ash. The density of a freshly collected natural drink is 1.0007-1.0045 g/l. It is thanks to saponin, which is part of the healing liquid, that birch sap has many beneficial properties:

If you have a sore throat, it is recommended to take birch sap with milk and starch.
Digestive problems are also solved by lemon and birch water, taken in a proportional ratio of 1:3. In addition, birch sap improves the overall functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, relieves constipation and normalizes the passage of feces.
The unprocessed natural drink acts on humans as an anti-inflammatory agent for various colds.
Functional dysfunction of the renal system can also be restored with the help of birch sap. Very often the drink is used as a diuretic.

The list of usefulness of the Russian drink can be endless. It is not without reason that in recent years in England and North America there has been increased interest in this drink, which has surpassed the popularity of the traditional tonic - coconut water. However, drinking birch nectar can bring not only benefits, but also harm.

Important! It is not recommended for people with chronic stomach and/or duodenal problems. In addition, people with an allergic reaction to plant components should avoid the drink.

How to tell if juice has gone bad

Birch sap can spoil after several days in the refrigerator. In order to understand in time that this product is no longer suitable for consumption, you need to know the signs that it is spoiled.

If the liquid becomes cloudy and the sediment does not lie at the bottom, but is distributed throughout the jar, this is a sign that the drink is spoiled. In this case, it is poured out.
The sediment that lies at the bottom, while the liquid remains transparent, is a completely normal phenomenon, and you can drink such juice without fear for your health.

But the transparency of the liquid does not always indicate that the drink is of high quality. As a result of fermentation, vinegar can be formed, which also has transparency. To understand whether a product has spoiled or not, it is tasted.

When mold appears on top, all the juice should be poured out without hesitation. You can no longer drink it, as it can have unpleasant health consequences.

Results

Birch sap is a very valuable product, and it must be collected in quantities that can be preserved. Of course, it is considered most useful during the first two hours after it is taken from the tree, but proper storage of birch sap will allow you to preserve its qualities to the maximum extent.

Of course, not all existing ways to store birch sap are given here. Each housewife has her own secrets that will help preserve this product for a long time. And if anyone wants to share their experience and talk about their ways to save food, be sure to write about it in the comments.

Fresh juice storage

It is important to ensure that freshly collected juice is properly stored. Otherwise, within a few days pathogenic microorganisms will multiply in it. Because of this, not only does the taste of the drink deteriorate, but also the risk of poisoning increases. And when in contact with air, the nectar oxidizes, and less and less vitamins remain in it.

You can tell if a drink is going bad by its appearance, taste, and smell. At first it becomes sweeter, but somewhat bland. Later, the clear liquid becomes cloudy, and a sour aroma and taste appears.

You need to store fresh birch sap at home correctly:

In a clean glass container. It’s even better to rinse it with boiling water or sterilize it before use.
The container is closed with a plastic or metal lid, which will protect against air ingress.
A dark place is suitable for storage.
The optimal temperature range is from 0 to +10°C.

In such conditions, the preservation of birch sap will last a maximum of a week (but usually less).

You can store nectar at room temperature, but it is better to send it to the refrigerator or cellar. In all cases, its shelf life will differ.

At room temperature

For those who are collecting for the first time, it is useful to know how long birch sap can be stored in a house or apartment. Unfortunately, the drink spoils quickly. Few people take into account that nectar sits in the sun all day during collection. Therefore, it is better to drink it during the first day, while it is still fresh.

Natural birch sap can be stored for no longer than 48 hours. To do this, the drink is filtered to remove small debris. Then it is poured into clean (preferably sterilized) jars or bottles. A dark, cool place is suitable for storage.

Important: Do not place containers with birch sap near a stove, heating appliances, or in the sun. This will lead to rapid deterioration.

When buying birch sap in a store, you should not hope that this product is natural. It is already boiled and contains preservatives that extend its shelf life. Therefore, it can last for about 2 years, but such drinking is of no benefit. In addition, after opening the can you need to drink it within 5 days, otherwise it will spoil.

Some manufacturers indicate on the packages that open birch nectar should be drunk within 24 hours, as it does not contain preservatives. But this is nothing more than a publicity stunt. Like any preserved food, this drink can last for about 5 days.

In the cellar

The shelf life of natural juice can be increased if you live in a private house with a cellar. This place has an optimal temperature; the sun's rays do not penetrate inside. Such conditions are less popular with microorganisms that spoil the drink.

Birch sap can be stored in the cellar for a long time

Birch sap can be stored in a cellar or basement for about 14 days. But first you need to filter the freshly collected liquid. Containers made of glass or porcelain are thoroughly washed, rinsed from detergents, and allowed to dry. The nectar is poured into clean, dry containers and covered with lids.

Note: Porcelain or glass dishes are suitable for storing birch nectar because they provide a stable temperature. In addition, these materials are chemically inert, which means they do not affect the composition of the liquid.

If there is no cellar, then containers with birch sap can be buried in the snow. Then it will also be stored for about 2 weeks. You just need to make sure that severe frosts do not hit.

Just keep in mind that with such long-term storage, the taste of the drink will change slightly. It will become sweeter and fresher.

Also, the shelf life depends on the composition of the juice. The earlier one (flows out when the buds just begin to swell) comes from the ascending flow. It supplies the tree with everything it needs to bloom leaves. Late nectar (collected a few days before the leaves open) contains water, glucose, vitamins, sugars and other organic compounds that the leaves produce. Early birch sap is stored longer than late birch sap. Therefore, it is better to hurry to the forest in the spring.

In a refrigerator

You can store birch sap for several days in the refrigerator. This method is the most popular and convenient.

After collecting nectar, you need to proceed as follows:

How to seal birch sap in jars

Filter the juice to remove small debris.
Wash and rinse glass or porcelain containers thoroughly, and do the same with lids.
Pour the liquid into jars or bottles and close the lids tightly.
Place on the middle/lower shelf or in the refrigerator door. You need to check where the place is with temperatures up to +5°C.

Under such conditions, the drink will be suitable for consumption for about 5 days.

In a plastic bottle

This option for storing birch sap is the least preferred. Plastic containers not only impair the taste of the drink, but can also cause serious harm.

Nectar will be stored in plastic bottles for 1 – 2 days. This is possible provided that the container is located as close to the freezer as possible. Also, the container must be thoroughly washed, rinsed, and the lid must be screwed on tightly. At room temperature, the drink will begin to deteriorate within a few hours.

You need to choose the right plastic container for storing birch sap

Attention: It is permissible to store birch sap in plastic bottles, provided that the container is selected correctly. Containers with code 3 or 7, which are indicated on the top of the container by the manufacturer, are absolutely not suitable for this. Such containers release hazardous substances into the liquid (bisphenol A and S), which cause endocrine disorders and related diseases. They can also aggravate the course of chronic diseases, for example, diabetes, asthma, oncology, etc.

Most doctors insist on single use of plastic containers. This is due to the fact that microcracks appear on their inner surface, in which bacteria (including pathogenic ones) multiply intensively. Washing with hot water and detergents will only speed up the damage to the plastic. Therefore, it is better to abandon this method of storing birch sap or select bottles with suitable labeling.

Using Freeze

To preserve the juice, a method such as freezing is used. Even after being frozen, the drink retains its medicinal and taste qualities. Freezing should be done in small portions.

After defrosting, the product must be used immediately, since defrosted products very quickly lose their healing properties and spoil.

A defrosted drink can be kept in the refrigerator for no more than three days. To freeze, you need to do the following. Pour the prepared product into bags and place in the freezer.

Follow these rules:

The packages must be tight. You can insert one into the other.
Each container should contain no more than 0.5 liters of drink.
You need to tie it tightly so that there is no leakage.
It should be placed so that the juice can fill the widest part of the bag with a thin layer.

This method is suitable for long-term storage of perishable products. Frozen foods, if properly sealed, can be stored for 3 to 5 years.

How long does birch sap last after collection?

This healing unique liquid is collected in early spring. It begins from the moment the buds swell and continues until flowering. Many gardeners recommend collecting liquid during dew, namely in the morning.

Preparing birch sap for storage

Freshly harvested natural product is stored in the refrigerator for a little more than 1 week, and at room temperature - up to 3 days. If the storage rules and duration are violated, the composition becomes toxic, mold and rot often develop in it, and various pathogens begin to actively multiply. Therefore, it should not be consumed after the specified period.

It is also important to know that for such a product it is better to use glass containers rather than plastic ones.

How to increase the shelf life of natural juice?

Due to the short shelf life, fresh birch sap is processed almost immediately after extraction. What you can do with it: There are several options:

Freezing. Allows you to preserve up to 80% of nutrients and increase shelf life to 8 months. Natural birch sap is frozen in portions, because after defrosting it quickly deteriorates. It is convenient to use plastic bottles with a volume of 0.5–1 liters. When freezing, the liquid will expand, so it is important to fill the container not completely, adding about 2-3 cm from the top.
Conservation. To roll up birch sap, you need to add 3 tbsp. spoons of sugar per 1 liter, bring it to a boil and immediately pour into sterilized glass jars. Screw the lids on the jars and after cooling, put them in a cool place. Sometimes citric acid is added along with sugar (1 teaspoon per 1 liter).
Kvass. Stored in a closed container for up to 3 months, it turns out very effervescent. Preparation: pour 150 g of washed dried fruits (dried apricots, prunes, apples, raisins) into a three-liter jar, pour in 2.5 liters of strained natural juice. Cover with gauze and place in a cool place for 2 weeks. Strain the kvass and pour into a sterilized container.
Digestion. Birch syrup can be diluted with water, spread on bread, or added to tea. It can easily sit in the refrigerator all winter in a glass jar with a screw-on lid. Preparation: bring 3 liters of juice to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, skimming off foam. Add 3 cups of sugar and continue cooking. After another 1 hour, the liquid will thicken and can be poured into sterilized containers.

Birch sap is healthy, and for many it is a favorite drink. It is mined in the spring, when birch trees begin to flow sap. Unfortunately, immediately after collection it quickly deteriorates. Therefore, it is stored only in the refrigerator and, if possible, processed. The canned or frozen drink will last a long time and can be drunk all year round!