BIRCH SAP ADVENTURE AT “BIRZĪ”

The “Kainaži” homestead is nearly 150 years old, and located between Smiltene and Rauna.  The farm is encircled by hundred-year-old oak trees, and it is in a quiet place far from major roads.  The farm has a park of more than 300 different types of maples, birches and walnut trees.  For many years, the Labanovskis family has been producing and popularising various types of birch and maple juice.  The owners studied the Canadian experience in the production of syrups, and they have done so successfully for several years.  Products at “Birzī” are biologically certified.

Līvija and Ervīns traded life in Rīga for life in the countryside to pursue their ideas about creating a business that sells juices.  Ervīns inherited the knowledge of his parents about the circulation of sap in trees and the valuable properties of the resulting juices.  He also studied Canadian technologies in the processing of juices.  His sister Nora combines her work in Rīga with helping out at “Birzī” and enjoying the country life there.

The owners offer visitors a chance to tour the processing line and the juice park.  They can plant a tree and taste birch juice and its various variants, from fresh to sparkling juice with various tastes.  There is also birch juice syrup.  In June, when the leaves of birch trees are fresh and full of energy, guests are encouraged to help in producing birch switches.  Feel the powerful aroma of birch leaves and then take your switch home with you.  A special offer is lunch for groups of visitors outdoors.