Maple Syrup 101: Tap Your Tree

Do you know the difference between pancake syrup and maple syrup? Pancake syrup is the kind you find at the supermarket with, let’s say, a logo of a log cabin or a favorite aunt on it–and is primarily made of not-very-maple-y corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup. Maple syrup is made of, ta da, maple syrup.

In a case of unusually clear labeling laws, only pure maple syrup is allowed to be called maple syrup–any product that is less than 100 percent maple is usually referred to as imitation maple syrup, pancake syrup, or just syrup. Canadians sometimes refer to imitation maple syrup as sirop de poteau (pole syrup) because it tastes like it might as well have been tapped from telephone poles.

It takes approximately 40 gallons to produce one gallon of syrup–as of December 2008, the average wholesale price for a gallon of pure maple syrup is $44. One way to trim down on the cost of syrup and get a fabulous do-it-yourself activity in at the same time is to tap your own maple trees to collect the sap.

Tapping maple trees is environmentally sustainable–tapping a healthy, mature maple creates a “wound” in the tree, but it does not affect the health of the tree. Commercial maple tappers are able to tap trees, some with multiple taps, for decades.

Tapping your own trees might sound a bit daunting, but with the right equipment and a little instruction, it’s simple. The trick is to be ready when the sap starts to flow (sometime in February or March depending upon weather conditions)–this means knowing your maple trees (Sugar, Black, Red, and Silver Maples will all yield a lot of sap) and knowing what supplies you’ll need.

The process involves tappng the tree when the sap begins to run and collecting the sap over a period of time. Although you can use the sap straight, some even drink it, the most common use of maple sap is to boil the water off until it is reduced to syrup. Because of the amount of steam generated, this is most often done outside on a gas grill or a small make-shift fire pit with support for a pot.

If you are interested in tapping trees in your yard, visit www.tapmytrees.com. This awesome site offers a starter kit, with all the equipment you need and a guide providing straight forward instruction on how to identify your maple trees, tap them, and process the sap.

Storing Maple Syrup
Maple syrup should be stored in a cool place until opened. Once opened it must be refrigerated. For long-term storage, pure maple syrup retains its flavor best when kept in the freezer. Maple syrup will not freeze solid and can be poured into smaller containers for use. If you purchased syrup in tin containers, it is recommended, after opening, that you pour it into clean, odor-free glass jars (like canning jars) and then put those into the refrigerator or freezer.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Deb L.

3:54PM PDT on Mar 14, 2011

thanx. I am tapping a manitoba maple to give it a try.

send a green star

Judith V.

6:17AM PST on Dec 1, 2010

ALMOST FORGOT-THE HOSPITALS USED TO GIVE 3:1 RATIO OF MAPLE SYRUP TO BAKING SODA FOR EMERGENCY CASES...now they give you sodium chloride .09% intravenously (salt water kills bacteria). What, so they automatically think that you're loaded with bugs?!!?
C'MON, NUTRITION IS BETTER THAN 'KILLING THE BUGS' HERE. If the body has all the nutrition it needs, then it don't need saltwater in an emergency! And the prior ingredients are considered a 'tincture' mixed with an antibacterial!.
That's progress for ya. Thanks for reading!

6:03AM PST on Dec 1, 2010

Thank you, Jan Jongen, for the 'heads up' on all the plastic used. I am sure that if you purchase the syrup from some Amish, Hippes (an old term for people doing their 'own thing' back in the 1960's, away from the conventional social dictates), or other 'basics' farmers, it should be UNadulterated!I I also think that if you build a sauna room, with the steam exhausted into it, there would be even MORE benefit from the process of this fine delicacy! GOOD LUCK!
Also, I would like for people to sign that petition preventing the government from censoring web sites that might be very useful for 'grass roots' community cooperations! The cartels are not making the profits they want to, so this so-called 'censoring' of the internet gives them a big sway into what THEY want us to purchase STOP IT!!! Thanks for reading!

Diane K.

3:12PM PDT on May 10, 2010

We buy organic maple syrup. Don't have the land or number of trees to make tapping work.

Andrew M.

5:25PM PDT on Apr 12, 2010

Awsome article! :)

Nellie K A.

10:32AM PDT on Apr 8, 2010

Thanks for the article and info. I've eaten the supermarket type and the Canadian Maple Syrup

NO EMAILS P.

4:25AM PDT on Apr 5, 2010

thanks for post