Byarozavik

Byarozavik is a Belarusian traditional drink made from birch sap. Makers harvest the sap from birch trees once a year, from March to April. Tree damage from sap collection to make this drink led to a licensing system for the collection of sap, introduced in 2008. Birch water is used medicinally, externally and internally.[citation needed][dubious – discuss] The sap contains many components including: sugars, fruit acids, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc, sodium, and iron. Unique elements include saponin, a nutrient that may help block cholesterol absorption. Birch tree water is a traditional beverage in Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and other parts of Northern Europe, and in parts of Northern China.[citation needed]

Source: Wikipedia