There’s nothing quite like warm maple syrup drizzled over a warm stack of pancakes, smothered in butter. Growing up, my Grandparents, cousins, siblings, and I would travel to a maple sugaring farm to enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes with fresh maple syrup every spring. I can still remember those incredibly thin, crispy pancakes, multiple butter packets, and sticky tables.
After consuming more pancakes than what would be considered healthy, we would all make the trek out to the “sugar shack”. This was where the collected sap was boiling down to make maple syrup. It was hot, steamy room with someone was regularly stirring the maple sap in a big vat.
Getting Started:
If you have access to mature maple trees and a spot to set up sugaring equipment, it won’t be long until you are enjoying your very own, fresh, maple syrup!
A Basic Overview:
First, you must collect the maple sap. After selecting your trees, (preferably a type of maple tree with a high sugar content), a hole is drilled in the tree and a spile is inserted. A spile is a small, rounded piece of metal that will allow the clear, liquid sap to flow out of the tree into a collection bucket.
Second, the gathered sap is poured into storage containers and kept at a cold temperature in order to prevent spoilage. The sap is most commonly boiled to remove access water, creating delicious Maple Syrup.
Third, the maple syrup is poured into jars and prepared for storage.
Finally, make a stack of pancakes and ENJOY! 🙂
