junavuorojen

Junavuorot, also known as Lithuanian birch sap enthusiasts, is a collective of people in Lithuania who have been gathering and consuming birch sap for centuries. The tradition of collecting and drinking birch sap, known as 'junas', dates back to the pre-Christian era.

According to folklore, junas has medicinal properties and is believed to possess health benefits, such as reducing fevers and curing diseases. People in the village of Junkaiciai in the Aukštaitija region have been collecting and consuming junas for generations. The sap is typically collected from March to May, during the winter thaw period, when the trees are still under the ground's frost.

To collect junas, people tap the birch trees with a metal spout and let the sap flow freely into vessels. The collected sap is then boiled and mixed with milk, rye flour, or honey to create a drink. Some people also store the junas in jars, where it is preserved for later consumption. The taste of junas is often described as slightly sweet, earthy, and refreshing.

Research has shown that junas contains various minerals, including manganese, calcium, and potassium, which could potentially explain its perceived health benefits. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that junas possesses exceptional healing properties.

In recent years, the practice of collecting and consuming junas has largely disappeared in Lithuania, due to modernization and the increasing popularity of more convenient energy drinks. Nevertheless, junas enthusiasts continue to organize events and festivals, celebrating the tradition and promoting its cultural significance.