Sunday is "Maine Maple Syrup Sunday"... and even though many people think of Vermont as the maple syrup state, there are many "sugar shacks" all over the states of New Hampshire and Maine as well. There are a number of commercial farms, but I think there are even more "hobby sugar farms"... and such is the case with our good friends, Peg and Chuck. Here is one of their groves of "sugar" maple trees on their farm, (if you look carefully, you can see the "taps and buckets" on the trees) The sap "runs" the best when the days are above freezing and the nights just under freezing... it varies a little each year, but for the most part... it's around the middle part of March that is called "sugar season"..... often times, the sap is collected while there is still snow on the ground, but this year, Chuck and Peg have an "open season" (some parts of New England are still under a blanket of snow)
From the trees to the bucket....
to the "sugar shack"...... I have to wonder who "invented" maple syrup... who was it that saw the maple trees and thought... "if I get the sap from that tree and boil it down... I will have a wonderful treat"... the sap, for those of you who may not know, is mostly water... there might be a glimmer of sweetness to it, but certainly not very much....
the average ratio is 14 quarts of sap, boiled down to make one quart of syrup.... there are variables that work into that equation, but overall... that is what you have to work with. Chuck uses an old woodstove to boil off his sap... the steam is incredible.. and this is certainly something you want to do outdoors.... as Peg said... this much steam in your house will take the wall paper off the walls.....
case in point... you can hardly see Chuck thru the steam!!!!!
Here's a batch almost ready to come off the fire... it has a beautiful golden color and the smell of it is simply wonderful....
From the fire to a strainer for one last "puring" and the syrup is ready to cool and enjoy......
so, if you have ever wondered why does "real maple syrup" cost so much (and I am NOT talking about "mrs. butterworth").. it's because of all the work that goes into it... but, if you have had the "real thing"... I am quite certain that you won't be able to settle for anything less....
Happy Maple Syrup season!!!!
