The co-owners of Reykjavik’s renowned Dill restaurant use birch from the forest at the Haukafell Mountain – where birch trees were planted in the 1960s as part of a soil reclamation programme. These sturdy trees are often planted in neglected wasteland because of their ability to prosper in even the most challenging of landscapes.

Foss Distillery uses a mixed grain spirit and infuses it with birch branches picked in the spring to get the sweetness of the birch flavour.

Birch is not only known for its ability to thrive against the odds, but is also prized for its health benefits. In alternative medicine, it’s widely used as a diuretic and is said to do wonders for skin and hair. And as if that wasn’t enough, birch also has the ability to get your pulse racing – apparently it’s good for the libido. That must be why it’s colloquially known as the ‘Giving Tree’.

Birkir and Björk are both great sipping spirits, ideal for those who prefer something a little sweeter. The liqueur is a little less heavy handed with the birch and works great as a base for cocktails – the Björktini with two parts Björk to three parts vodka is recommended.

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