We've been busy on our new experiment this year...Maple SYRUP! It has definitely been a good year for learning, as most years there's way more sap I've heard.
As it is, we had PLENTY, over 150 gallons to work with! Some of it went bad with the unseasonably warm weather, so it never got boiled down. STILL, we ended up with 24 12-oz bottles and a few quart jars of syrup.
Joe tapped over 200 trees this spring, using a tubing system that runs from tree to tree and collects in a barrel. This works great if there is a clump of trees fairly close together. That way you don't have to hang individual buckets.
Then we spent each day boiling it down, and just waiting for it to change to syrup. We have a hydrometer (it's similar to a thermometer) that tests the hot syrup/sap. You fill the holder with hot syrup and when it gets close to being done, it will float up in the holder. Then into jars it goes!
The syrup is really good, and we love the fact that it's REAL, no additives, etc.
We've sure been eating a lot of pancakes lately =)
4 comments:
Wow! So glad it worked out! Good for you...lots of work, but now you get to eat it!
And boy are they eating it!! :) It is delicious!!
Love the picture, looks so good, and I know it is, good job and a nice learning experience for all of you, even the kids.
mmmmmmm.......looks VERY yummy!!! great job!
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