Mark K
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Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Mark K on Mar 5, 2017 19:50:03 GMT -5
As we speak the sap is rolling.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2017 21:40:30 GMT -5
As we speak the sap is rolling. Woot!
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NDK
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Mar 6, 2017 11:16:51 GMT -5
I love maple syrup, but the rest of my house doesn't. It is expensive so I don't complain. It's a really cool process.
Good luck with your batch this year Mark.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Mark K on Mar 6, 2017 20:52:14 GMT -5
Too warm last night. Sap barely flowed. Didn't even collect. Hopefully tomorrow afternoon.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2017 22:15:41 GMT -5
I read a bit about box elder syrup.
I don't understand why it's not used. You get 4x volume of sap per tree and 60% more syrup.
And has a unique flavour. Total win!
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TRG
starting to shine!
Member since October 2016
Posts: 31
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Post by TRG on Mar 8, 2017 11:29:38 GMT -5
I honestly think people who make maple syrup sell it too cheap. It's seemingly expensive if you don't make it. High fructose corn syrup most people use as syrup is far from when you first have that boiled down maple sap. Probably one of the best things I have ever tasted.. almost like there was vanilla bean in there. By the time you spend the time to collect and make it and the amount you get.. it's like there's no way I would ever sell it at the going rate haha For as often as anyone uses it people should just spend for the real thing and support the sugar makers. The high fructose corn syrup stuff is cheap mass produced and not good for you.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Mark K on Mar 17, 2017 22:45:45 GMT -5
I called an expert in WI and asked him about a rumor I heard about the silver maples. He said that I should have been tapping them and I should go out and do a test run on them right away. I hit 61 trees yesterday and they produced well. I only brought home 2 5 gallon buckets 3/4 full of sap to test. I did one and got 8 sample jars and one 1/2 pint 3/4 full of over thick scraped out of the pan. I would have had more, but I cooked it down the the maximum brix. That makes less syrup. Tomorrow I will bring samples to work and have the critics try it to see if it is good or not. My taste buds might be scewed because of breathing all of that steam.
I should have more sap than I can handle tomorrow.
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Post by spiceman on Mar 17, 2017 22:57:16 GMT -5
Making a batch of hotcakes and waffles too???? Keep'm warm, I'm on my way. If I'm not there soon just put them in a MFRB. :)
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Post by spiceman on Mar 17, 2017 23:03:12 GMT -5
I maybe Canadian, but I'm no fan of maple syrup. I prefer this stuff. Beats maple hands down. Put that in with your rocks during the polish stag, it might work. If it doesn't just put the rocks between your cheek and gum. All day flavor.
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Post by radio on Mar 18, 2017 8:33:02 GMT -5
I have discovered there is "Maple syrup" then there is GOOD maple syrup! I made pancakes last weekend and searched high and low for my jug of GOOD maple syrup, but it was not to be found. Asked the wife if she had seen it and she thought it was old, so she tossed it I live in the Missouri Ozarks and as a kid, I still remember folks making Sorghum Molasses. It is cooked much like Maple syrup, but instead of tree sap, Cane stalks are ran through a big set of steel rollers that squeeze out the juice that in the old days were powered by a horse or mule. Unlike thin syrup, Molasses is very, very thick and gooey, hence the old adage "Slow as Molasses". Not much better than a spoon full on a hot buttered biscuit fresh out of the oven!
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NDK
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Mar 18, 2017 8:44:27 GMT -5
Hey Arlen, molasses is good on corn bread and ice cream too!
Good luck with the syrup Mark, sounds like you've got it dialed in.
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Mark K
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Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Mark K on Mar 18, 2017 18:38:52 GMT -5
Just under 100 gallons from 61 trees. Not the best haul, but it sure beats a stick in the eye.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2017 18:43:15 GMT -5
100 gallons makes how much syrup?
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Mark K on Mar 18, 2017 22:21:54 GMT -5
I am hoping 2-3 gallons.
I will not get it all cooked down tonight. It is 10 20 here and I am starting to get tired. I will start the fire right after work tomorrow so that means I should have a good 8 hours to cook the rest. I suspect that the sap will not flow real great tomorrow so I will let it run and harvest on Monday and start cooking again then. Assuming the sap is still good at that point.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Mark K on Mar 20, 2017 21:01:17 GMT -5
I pulled out of the woods today. This one is done, but I still have one spot, kinda going. Here is the first batch.
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2017 21:09:31 GMT -5
Envy
Today I envy you.
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