Drinks
spring birch or maple sap, drunk fresh or fermented
spring drink tradition
Birch sap, maple sap, spring, tapping trees, fermentation, fresh drink, forest ethics
Birch sap, Maple sap
A spring drink
The Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia describes sula as plant sap that flows in spring; in Lithuania, birch and maple sap are drunk.
It marks the time when the tree wakes and sap begins to move. According to the Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia, sula begins flowing when the average daily temperature rises above +4 °C, flows most intensely for one to two weeks before buds open, and about 50-150 liters of sap can be collected in spring from one adult tree no thinner than 20 cm in diameter.
Fresh and fermented
Fresh sula is light, gently sweet, and quick to spoil. Fermented sula gains acidity and keeps longer.
Raisins, lemon, twigs, or other household additions are used for fermentation, but cleanliness is essential.
Birch and maple
Maple sap is often sweeter, while birch sap is gentler. Flavor depends on weather, the tree, and the time of tapping.
The sula season is short, so it remains a highly seasonal drink.
Tree ethics
Tapping sula must be responsible: young, weak, or protected trees should not be harmed.
After tapping, the hole should be plugged, and only as much sap as needed should be taken.
Recipe
How to prepare fresh or fermented sula
Fresh sula spoils quickly, so it should be strained and kept cold. For fermentation, raisins, lemon, or currant twigs may be added.
Ingredients
- 3 l fresh birch or maple sap
- 1 handful raisins
- A few lemon slices
- A blackcurrant twig or a few oats, if you want a traditional fermentation accent
Method
- Strain fresh sula through a clean cloth and chill it.
- If fermenting, pour it into a clean vessel and add raisins and lemon.
- Keep cool, but do not seal tightly at the start of active fermentation.
- When the taste becomes lightly tart and refreshing, move it to the refrigerator.
Notes
Sula should not be collected from damaged trees or trees affected by city pollution.
After tapping, the hole should be properly plugged so the tree suffers less.
