Maple syrup, naturally sweet with its lush notes of vanilla and caramel, is one of the first signs of spring. Now, maple’s lesser-known forest cousin birch is having ...

Meadowdale Winery is reviving a centuries-old practice of making birch wine from Adirondack-sourced sap, and interest is growing.

Birch syrup is the dark, wild cousin to lighter and brighter maple syrups. Both are native to Minnesota. (Ashley Moyna Schwickert/For the Minnesota Star Tribune) ...