Talk:Birch syrup

Price vis-a-vis maple syrup
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 * "approximately five times as expensive as maple syrup."

Is it incorrect? If correct, the information should stay. Badagnani (talk) 21:31, 28 November 2007 (UTC)
 * It's correct in Alaska. Deirdre (talk) 22:49, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

Removals
The following text was just removed:


 * "using low-heat, low-pressure extraction, as the sap is prone to scorching. "
 * this is true: the fructose makes it harder to reduce using the boiling method, because it scorches more easily. Deirdre (talk) 23:10, 28 November 2007 (UTC)


 * "Birch sap is also acidic, so the metal taps, buckets, or tanks used in maple sugaring will give birch sap a metallic taste, and plastic or ceramic tools and utensils must be used."

Why was this text added in the first place, if both things are incorrect? Badagnani (talk) 21:32, 28 November 2007 (UTC)


 * so far as I know, both of these are correct, and should not have been removed. I did research on this subject for an article published in Agroborealis (see references). Birch sap is perhaps not very acidic, but it is slightly acidic. According to the birch syrupmakers association best practices, food-grade plastic, ceramic, or stainless steel should be used. Deirdre (talk) 22:52, 28 November 2007 (UTC)
 * just looked this one up: maple sap has a pH around 7 (neutral), whereas birch sap has a pH around 6 (slightly acid). I'm also checking with Kimberly Maher, who is working on her PhD here at the University of Alaska and analyzes the cations and other chemical aspects of birch sap as part of her work. It may be that there is a geographic difference: there aren't many limestone soils in Alaska, whereas there are in, say, New England. Deirdre (talk) 23:10, 28 November 2007 (UTC)
 * Maher has not yet examined pH, but when I asked her about this, she said that she'd put it on her list of things to examine this spring! So we'll know for sure exactly how acidic birch sap is in a few months, but in the meantime, there is evidence for the above (i.e., a slightly acidic pH value). I have also added several other links from different companies, so this doesn't act as an advertisement for Kahiltna Birch Works, including some good information from Birch Boy Gourmet Syrups in Haines, where they work with a slightly waterier sap (wateryer? looks funny both ways). Plus, I found the application to the FDA for a legal standard for birch syrup in the US; the PDF has a bunch of good info on it, too. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Deirdre (talk • contribs) 18:25, 6 December 2007 (UTC)
 * Birch syrup tastes slightly sour (I'm surprised this is not mentioned in the description--can someone please confirm this, I haven't had it often), which also indicates its acidity.--Ericjs (talk) 06:19, 19 April 2010 (UTC)
 * I've got the Alaska version, I wouldn't say slightly sour, but that's a tricky one, maybe tangy? But we can't put our own experience in the article, we'd need a good source. And it sounds as though the taste may vary according to the soil. Dougweller (talk) 18:49, 19 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Just went to reorder and realised I have the 'breakfast' version, with cane syrup in it. That's why it wasn't sour! Dougweller (talk) 09:11, 26 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Maybe slightly "tart" would be a better term? I would compare it to the slight tartness you might find also find in a fruit syrup. What I have is also from Alaska, fwiw. --Ericjs (talk) 00:25, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

I am producing a small quantity of Birch syrup this Spring in the Mat-Su valley 45 miles northeast of Anchorage.

I find my sap concentrate to be slightly tart. I am using a two step reduction to arrive at my final 220 degree sugar boil.

I am a previous professional brewer, and am using a high boil in stainless vessels from my pilot brewery. Lots of fun! and quite labor/energy intensive. No wonder the price is high! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.35.98.181 (talk) 04:28, 1 May 2012 (UTC)

Birched honey
Does a mention of this belong in the article? It's a blend of honey and birch syrup. Dougweller (talk) 12:07, 3 April 2011 (UTC)

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