By: Margaret Carney
http://www.amazon.com/Grandpas-Sugar-Bush-Margaret-Carney/dp/1550746715/ref=pd_sim_b_1
By: Jessie Haas
http://www.amazon.com/Sugaring-Jessie-Haas/dp/0688142001/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
By:
Steps to Making Maple Syrup
1. Choose a spot on your maple tree that is approximately 2 to 4 inches from the ground. Make sure this spot is solid.
2. Drill a hole about 2 inches deep into the tree and insert a collection spout. Place a bucket under the spout to catch the sap.
3. Place the sap in a shallow pan and heat to the boiling point. Be careful not to burn the sap. If you have any remaining sap that did not fit in the pan, you may add it as the sap evaporates. Continue boiling until the sap in the pan is highly concentrated.
4. Skim the surface for foam and other materials as the sap boils.
5. Monitor the temperature. The maple syrup is done when the temperature reaches 7 degrees above the boiling point of water, which is dependent on your elevation.
6. Filter the hot maple syrup through a wool or orlon filter to remove particles such as sugar sand. This will also improve the syrup's appearance.
7. Package the maple syrup while it is still at least 180 degrees to prevent spoilage.
Native American Legend about Maple Syrup
One day in early spring, an Indian chief came home from a long day of hunting and stuck his tomahawk in one of the trees outside his longhouse, as he did every night. Now being that maple trees are very abundant in his area, this happened to be a maple.
Lac du Flambeau Students enjoy the entire maple sugaring process. They assisted in collecting the syrup, cooking it and the best part was EATING it - Yummy!