To collect the sap, we drive to the first tree, remove the bucket from the tree, take it to the trailer that was pulled behind the tractor and pour it into a 55-gallon cylindrical container. We fasten a filter to the opening of the container. This catches things we do not want in our syrup, such as small twigs, leaves and moths. Once all the sap has been collected, it is driven into the shade of our shed so that it stays cool.
Using a pump, we transfer the sap from the 55-gallon container to a larger tank. When we have around 100 gallons of sap, we cook it down. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. When it is time to cook down the sap, we use the pump and hose to move the maple sap from the larger storage tank to another 55-gallon container that is elevated. At the bottom of it, there is a spigot that we attach a hose to. This hose brings the sap to the cooker. The hose goes around the smokestack, through the inside of the cooker, and into the pan that is set on top of the cooker.
The sap goes around the smokestack and through the back of the cooker so that it is warmer when it enters the pan. Therefore, it’ll take less time to cook it down. We make sure that the sap flows into the pan with a small, yet consistent, stream. We also need to keep an eye on the fire. When all of the sap is in the pan and it is thick, we open the valve on the pan. Al the sap flows out through the valve, through a filter, and into some large pots. We take the pots inside where we cook it down even more on the stove in our house. Once the syrup has been put into jars, all that is left to complete the year’s maple syrup production is cleaning up.
The cooker’s smokestack needs to be removed, disassembled, and put away. The cooker needs to be moved into our shed where it is stored until it is need again. We go out to the trees once again, to remove the buckets, lids, hoses, and taps. The buckets and lids need to be washed with bleach and water and rinsed. We let them dry in the sun before putting them away until the next spring. The hoses and taps also get cleaned, dried and put away.
Like a lot of people, my family uses maple syrup on waffles, French toast and pancakes. We also use it for baking. For example, my mom uses it in place of sugar when she bakes bread. We use it in muffins and granola bars too. My family also likes to put maple syrup on ice cream.
Anderson’s Maple Syrup, Inc. is proud to support our local schools. Most recently we collaborated with one of Cumberland High School’s 10th grade English classes. Students were given the opportunity to use their skills to describe the flavor of and creative uses for pure maple syrup.