Watch our 2014 video to see our collection systems and syrup making process.
BIRCH SYRUP
Alaska Pure Birch Syrup is an exceptional small batch product, wild harvested from the pristine boreal forests of Alaska. This environment is ideal for sustainable syrup production, yet birch syrup remains limited worldwide with total production estimated to be under 5,000 gallons annually. As the world’s preeminent birch syrup producer we harvest approximately 135,000 gallons of sap each year which makes between 1,000 and 1,300 gallons of syrup.
Kahiltna Birchworks employs state-of-the-art tubing and vacuum technology to collect the sap, which is a significant leap from the traditional means of sap collection – buckets. Our automated system allows us to harvest sap with minimal disruption to the trees, ensuring their long-term health. We then use a reverse osmosis process to remove up to 90% of the water before evaporation begins. This ensures a higher-quality syrup and reduces energy consumption, a critical factor in Alaska’s remote environment.
The process of birch syrup production is demanding and requires approximately 110 gallons of sap to produce just one gallon of syrup—a much higher sap-to-syrup ratio than maple syrup, which averages about 40:1. The sap, which contains only 1-1.5% sugar, is like water and has a slight nutty flavor. It is during a brief 3-4 week window that we can collect all of our sap of the year. .
Birch syrup has a complex and rich flavor profile with tasting notes of molasses, honey, chocolate, and hints of citrus and berries. It is an extremely versatile flavor additive and sweetener, favored for both savory and sweet dishes. It is a staple ingredient for Michelin-starred restaurants, James Beard Award-winningchefs, and craft brewers. Denali Brewing in Talkeetna uses our birch syrup in their renowned “One Tree” Belgian Ale, and chefs across the nation use our syrup to add depth to their signature dishes.
Birch syrup’s nutritional benefits stands out as a healthier alternative to traditional sweeteners. Birch syrup is mostly fructose opposed to sucrose, which makes it lower on the glycemic index than maple or honey. It also contains key vitamins and minerals such as B-Vitamins, Manganese, and Magnesium.
Harvest and Seasonal Details
Birch sap is collected in early spring as the ground thaws and nature awakens, typically in early-mid April. The season lasts for about three weeks before the trees’ leaves begin to bud. On average, each tree yields about 0.6 gallons of sap per day during the harvest, equating to roughly 15 ounces of syrup per tree. Our system allows us to tap between 5,000-10,000 trees annually just outside Talkeetna.
Sustainability
We do our best to mitigate any harm to the tree or surrounding ecosystem. We collect about 7-10% of the total sap from each tree during harvest. We follow strict sustainable practices, including using only one tap per tree to ensure minimal impact. Additionally, we do not plug the holes at the end of harvest, as studies have shown this impedes the tree’s natural healing process.
At Kahiltna Birchworks, we believe in preserving the integrity of the land while producing one of the world’s most distinctive tree syrups. Whether you’re using our syrup for culinary creations, glazes, or simply as a delightful topping, you’re experiencing a product that reflects the purity, sustainability, and rich flavors of Alaska’s boreal forests. From tree to table!
BIRCH WATER
Birch water is a traditional drink in Europe, Russia, and Asia and it is rapidly becoming popular in the United States. In 2017 we reserved a portion of the sap we collected to make into a delightfully refreshing beverage, rather than processing the sap to syrup.
Our Alaska Wild Birch Water is the pure springtime sap of Alaska birch trees tapped in the boreal forest near Talkeetna, Alaska. Birch water, filtered through the tree, contains approximately 1% naturally occurring sugars and an abundance of minerals. Traditionally used as a spring tonic, the sap is refreshing, energizing and hydrating.
When we bottle, we lightly infuse the sap with wild harvested goods from our woods, including blueberries, lingonberries and chaga. We add a little organic lemon or lime juice for taste and product stability. Our birch water embodies the Alaskan forest and the rejuvenating energy of our welcome spring.
WILD CHAGA MUSHROOMS
Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a fungus that grows primarily on live birch trees in cold climates. Acting as a cancer that will eventually kill the tree, chaga draws nutrients from the host tree that can be extracted and used for your health and enjoyment. Our pure, cold climate Alaska chaga is sustainably harvested primarily in the winter from wild Alaskan birch trees near our homestead in Alaska’s remote Susitna Valley. Because it grows far from air and water pollution, our chaga is prized for its purity.
After we harvest the chaga it is carefully dried before being ground into tea. To make the extract, we infuse the ground chaga in alcohol and then water for increased potency. This process takes several months before we are ready to bottle the extract.
There is a great deal of research being done on the potential benefits of chaga. It is high in anti-oxidants. Known as an adaptogen, chaga is believed to be energizing and possibly effective in stimulating the body to heal itself.