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History Of Maple Syrup:

The Natives were the first to discover this tasty treat that comes from the sugar maples in the spring of the year. Sap is collected from a small hole that is drilled in to the side of the tree. When the nights are below freezing and the days are sunny and warm, the sap runs very readily. As kids we would drink the sap directly from the tree.

Maple Syrup Production & How to Make Maple Syrup:

In the olden days and in some back yards today, the sap is collected from each can or pail attached to each tree, and carried back to the camp where it is boiled to perfection. This is not only time consuming, but labor intensive also. Now-a-days larger operations use pipeline to deliver the sap directly to the sugarhouse or a pump system that delivers it to large holding tanks.

In the olden days the sap would need to be boiled for hours to remove enough water to make syrup. Forty liters of sap boils down to one liter of syrup. Larger operations today use what is called reverse-osmosis. This is process is successful in removing 75% of the water from the sap to significantly reduce the boiling time.

The concentrated sap is boiled carefully until it reaches a certain temperature and sugar level. The sugar content is measured with a refractometer. Once reached, the syrup then gets bottled and labeled as Pure Maple Syrup. Maple Sugar and Maple Cream on the other hand, need to be boiled to a higher temperature then cooled rapidly and stirred to obtain their specific consistency.

Kings Landing Historical Settlement hosts a couple of "Sugar Bush Weekends" every year in the Spring maple season. The very popular "Pancake and Maple Syrup Breakfast" is a major fund raiser for the local Search and Rescue. The Village itself also performs demonstrations with staff in period costume, explaining how the process worked in the olden days. There is a nominal fee (over and above the breakfast)for the demo but it also includes a pure maple treat and a visit with some of the farm animals in the village. This is very popular for the children.

Health Benefits of Maple Syrup:

Keep in mind this only refers to the PURE maple syrup. I’m not talking about the imitation “maple” syrup that can be found in most grocery stores. I have never tried the maple syrup cleanse or the maple syrup diet, but it seems to be gaining more and more popularity all the time.

One of the benefits of PURE maple products is the fact that they are diabetic friendly. People with diabetes can use this type of PURE sugar and not have the adverse effects that common sugar products produce.

Maple Syrup Supplies:

Click here for Dominion and Grimm Maple Syrup Supplies online. You may also be able to find various supplies at some local home and garden centers in season.