It’s spring which means that the days are getting longer, things are starting to warm up, and sap is starting to run.  Here in the northeast it’s normal to see tree taps in maple trees  all over the place from all sorts of folks making maple syrup.  But maple isn’t the only sap that’s sweet.  Walking the farm today, I happened by a birch tree down by the river where I snatched a bundle of green, budding twigs.  I chewed on a few “chaw sticks” on my way back to give the kids a treat.  Spring birch has a sweet, minty “birch beer” taste.  Birch also is reported to have healing properties.  Native Americans would let their teething babes chew on birch twigs due to its pain relieving properties.  It is also known to be an anti-inflammatory, and may, like aspirin, protect against heart attacks.  I don’t know about all that, but it sure tastes good which is good enough for me.