It's not only maple trees that provide syrup, you know. Ireland's birch trees will have a sweetish sap flowing up through them in March that's ideal for making birch syrup and birch sap wine. It's not as concentrated or sweet as Canadian maple, but it's still a gift from nature's waiting to be savoured. Get a set of oak heartwood taps and learn online how to safely tap a tree. touch-wood.co.uk/ shop

Manchán Magan