Maple syrup is, without a doubt, the world’s most popular syrup. You can’t go into a breakfast diner that will not have maple syrup available, often on the table before you even place your order. It’s just assumed that if you get pancakes, waffles or French toast, you’re going to want a big helping of maple syrup to go along with it. 

In fact, there are whole festivals that revolve around maple syrup. Sugarbush Festivals are popular throughout Ontario, and feature syrup demonstrations, samples and pancakes, as well as plenty of other demonstrations, activities, wagon rides and more that are fun for the whole family.  

Maple syrup is part of our culture, which one would expect from a nation that has a maple leaf on its flag. 

However, you might not be aware that there are plenty of other syrups produced from tree saps to choose from, including one that has seen a surge in popularity in recent years – birch syrup. 

All About Birch Syrup 

Birch syrup is, obviously, harvested from birch trees. It has a very unique taste that some might say combines flavors found in caramel, honey and molasses, but its aftertaste is much spicier or more acidic than that of maple syrup, reminiscent of a balsamic vinegar.  

There are a few primary differences between birch and maple syrup: 

• Production: Birch syrup is much more difficult to produce. It takes about 40 liters of maple sap to make a single liter of maple syrup. However, it takes double the amount of birch sap to make the same amount of birch syrup. Clearly, it’s a labor intensive process.
  

• Flavor: Birch syrup is not quite as simple and sweet as maple syrup. Instead, it is darker, stronger and richer in flavor, as described above. Its lower levels of sweetness make it perfect for both sweet and savory dishes and potentially more versatile than maple syrup, depending on your preferences. 

• Nutrition: Neither birch nor maple syrup is exactly a health food, but they do contain some slightly different nutrients. Birch syrup is mostly fructose syrup, which is found in fruit, while maple syrup is mostly sucrose, which is the same as table sugar. Birch syrup does have plenty of micronutrients as well, including xylitol, proteins, amino acids an various vitamins and minerals. 

In general, birch syrup is used in the same way as maple syrup. It can be used as a topping or dressing, or as a glaze for meats. It simply provides a different taste than you’ll get from maple syrup. 

For more information about birch syrup and the other types of tree sap-based syrups, contact us today at Soil Advocates