Charms and Properties

Properties

Birch syrup contains fructose, which has a lower melting point than the sucrose found in maple syrup.  Consequently, birch syrup is more difficult to work with but is also more stable, resulting in a premium product.  Fructose is easily digested by the body and has the lowest glycemic index of all sugars and is therefore the most suitable sugar for use, in small quantities, by diabetics.

Birch syrup is high in many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, manganese, thiamine and calcium.

Birch syrup is approximately 67% sugar, composed of 42 to 54% fructose and 45% glucose, with a small amount of sucrose and galactose. It is distinctive in flavour — rich and reminiscent of caramel, with a spicy hint. Numerous Virtues Birch sap, which contains nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and protein, is used as a health drink in some countries. Studies show that birch sap has some therapeutic antioxidant properties.

Benefits

Paper birch tree leaves have been used to treat all types of urinary insufficiency, as well as rheumatism, arthritis, gout and infections.  Various birch supplements are sold as natural products.

Did you know that natural wintergreen essence, once made by distilling wintergreen leaves, is now made from yellow birch bark?  The peppermint taste that chewing gum lovers adore comes in part from birch bark.