What Makes Alaska Birch Syrup Exceptional?
We hear it all the time: “I tried birch syrup once, it was bitter.” “Birch syrup doesn't belong on pancakes.” And my personal favorite: “I tried making it once, and it turned almost black!”
Birch syrup on a small scale, such as tapping one tree and trying to boil it town will lead to a dark and bitter taste because the primary sugar, fructose, burns easily. On a larger scale, we use reverse osmosis to remove 80-90% of the water before we boil it to prevent that, but there’s so much more that goes into the flavor of birch than just not burning it.
The birch sap season lasts only about three weeks. During that short window, the sugar and mineral content of the sap changes dramatically, which is why we separate our syrup into Early Run, Mid Run, and Late Run batches.
Early Run syrup is light, sweet, and caramel-like. It’s perfect for pancakes, waffles, and other breakfast favorites. As the season progresses, the syrup develops more complexity. Late Run syrup is darker and tangier, making it an excellent pairing for vegetables, marinades, meat, seafood, and salad dressings. Despite its bold flavor, it isn't what most people would describe as bitter. Mid run is a perfect mid-point between early and late run and can be used for both savory and sweet.
When people tell me they've found birch syrup bitter in the past, it's often because they've tried syrup made from different birch species outside Alaska.
Alaska birch trees grow in loess soils, which contribute to the bright, fruity flavor profile that makes Alaska birch syrup unique. By comparison, yellow birch and black birch trees found in Canada and the Lower 48 grow in different soil conditions and produce syrups with distinctly different characteristics. Yellow birch syrup is often described as more herbal or metallic, while black birch syrup tends toward darker, roasted flavors.
Just as wine reflects the grapes, soil, and climate where it is grown (terroir), birch syrup reflects the tree species and landscape it comes from. That's why Alaska birch syrup has a flavor all its own.