Bet you've not tried this!

[Caro]

Someone will contradict me

I was googling turnip kaskinauris and came across this Finnish foodie blog. There are some really weird recipes and ingredients in there, but it's fascinating. Anyway, given all our predilection for adding ingredients to alcohol, here's one to try. Sounds like a springtime one, before our summertime recipes are available.

Mämmi: Birch Bud Schnapps ‒ Silmuviina

As long as I can remember which birch trees are, I might give it a go next year. My neighbour has a HUGE silver birch that shades almost all my garden - think I can sue that? It would be nice to get some use out of the blasted tree!

[Hilary B]

If it belongs to your neighbour, you ought to get his permission. If branches overhang your garden you are entitled to cut those ones off, but should return them (he probably wouldn't notice a few missing buds).

[ohbeary]

aaaand you could tap the sap to make birch wine even before the buds are ready!

[Caro]

Neither sounds particularly appetising

[Hilary B]

Birch sap wine is delicious! (I've only had a commercially produced one, it was rather like a sweet sherry, halfway between the classic 'brown sherry' and the 'pale cream' type).