maple syrup

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Mcgarth,

I decided to try making some syrup this year and so far so good. What determines the color of the finished product? First batch I had turned out a golden color and the second turned out with the darker color. I used the same trees for both batches.

Ok, I picked up more sap on Sunday, boiled on Monday...

I decided to experiment a little with color, so I boiled 3 batches from the same jug of syrup simultaneously...

One batch I cooked on the Highest heat possible, and added more sap as it boiled down a bit...this turned out very Dark Amber...and strong but good Mapley tasting...

Another batch I cooked on Medium and added no more...it turned Medium Amber...and very very good and Mapely tasting...

Another I cooked very slowly, barely at boil and added no more...it turned very Light Amber...not very much flavor...

All three started with the same sap and were boiled to the same sugar content...so I am thinking that the longer it is boiled at the higher heat, it Caramelizes more and therefore turns darker and stronger tasting...

I don't think I would make the lightest syrup for myself, and though the dark is still very good, I found the medium to be the tastiest...near to World Champion Grade...

I also did better filtering on all these and it really improved the taste over past endeavors...first with a very fine wire coffee filter when about 3/4 of the way to finish grade...then with a paper coffee filter when just done, though I had to press it through because of syrup thickness...

So, I ended up with just under 1 Gallon for the 2009 Season...I think it is done for...though I may experiment with the late Autumn run...

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Nothin' runnin' for about a week...got pretty warm, but had cold nights...now a lot colder days as well...

Mcgarth or anyone know how long tap holes stay functional before they start to heal or swell and can't produce...???

[mcgarth]

we have had our taps out for over at least a month at a time and it still ran. look at the trees people trim how long they are bleeding they dont heal up that fast. good luck. this weekend we are going to bottle about 45 of our 115 gallons of syrup.

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Ok thanks, I guess they just are not running at all...

I heard some seal up the holes with wax...ever do this...

Also what kind of drilling system do you use to drill all those taps...

[mcgarth]

not i havent used wax.we use a gas powered tapper for tapping. basically it is just a gas powered drill.

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Gas powered as in compressed propane, or somehow has a gasoline motor, and where does one find such a thing???

[mcgarth]

back to the top, it's that time of year again

[goblueM]

anybody ever tap norway maples? i've heard of birch, silver and sugar maples. have 2 norway maples in the backyard and i'm considering trying it out