We've been getting a gradual supply of sap from 5 of the 6 trees Simon tapped last month. I've done things differently this year in that I've worked little by little at boiling the sap instead of working marathon all-nighters.
I've been keeping what sap we get cold until we have at least 3 gallons, which is enough to make an 8 ounce jar of pure maple syrup. I'll take a batch of 3 gallons and maybe boil it down enough to fit in a gallon pitcher. Then I'll come back to it later when I have time again and finish it off while also starting on another 3 gallon batch. Of course with only 5 taps working instead of 10 or 15, we've not had the over flowing abundance of sap that kept me hopping other years either.
I think I like this slower pace of sugarin'. I've done 3 jars of actual syrup, and then we've also turned 4 jars worth into maple sugar/candy. There's also 2 jars worth in the refrigerator that have boiled down to about half a gallon so far and there is another couple gallons of sap waiting to be boiled. If you're counting, that's 29 gallons of sap we've collected so far this season. Not all that much, but better than nothing! And there may still be time for them to flow some more before we hit spring full time.
My Maple Sugar Valentine heart's did not turn out looking as good as I would have liked this year, but they sure were good and sweet! Yum!
Happy Valentine's Day!
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