How to Make Maple Syrup

Guide Note Maple syrup is a delightful topping for pancakes and waffles, and can be used in many recipes, as well. Although making your own maple syrup is a time-consuming process, the results are definitely worth waiting for. Read on for more information on how to make maple syrup.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Equipment
• Step 1: Choose Trees to Tap
• Step 2: Tap the Trees
• Step 3: Collect the Sap
• Step 4: Make the Syrup
• Step 5: Storage
• Recipes
• References

Making Maple Syrup Tips

1. For best results, tap trees when the days are warm and the nights are cold.
2. Choosing the right trees to tap can make a major difference in the amount of syrup you end up with.
3. To avoid damaging trees, never tap one that is less than 10 inches in diameter.
4. A clean gallon jug can be used as a disposable container to collect maple sap.
5. Don't try to boil down maple sap indoors, unless you have very good ventilation and a dehumidifier running.
6. Filtering maple syrup prior to storage will prevent a cloudy appearance.

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Introduction

(CC photo by potaufeu)

• Native Americans first made maple syrup, and the process has changed very little since.¹ Appropriate trees are chosen and tapped, a spout inserted and the sap is collected in a bucket or other container.² The sap is boiled until it reaches a concentration of approximately two-thirds sugar.¹ The syrup is then filtered, after which it is ready to be stored for use as a pancake topping or in a variety of recipes.³

• Tapping, which involves drilling a two to three inch deep hole in the trunk for sap collection, does not harm the maple tree.^{2 4} Some trees have been tapped regularly for 150 years or longer, and most trees are at least 30 years old before they are first tapped.⁴

• Maple season lasts about eight to ten weeks in February, March and April.¹ Yield is highest when the daytime temperature is 40 degrees F or higher and well below freezing at night.² Early in the season, maple sap has a higher concentration of sugar and less is required to produce the same amount of maple syrup.²

• Maple syrup is a good source of potassium, calcium and other minerals. It also contains trace amounts of vitamins and important amino acids and is low in sodium. Maple syrup and maple sugar are also considered natural foods, since the only processing they undergo is heating and filtration.⁵

Equipment

(Creative Commons photo by kylemac)

• To make your own maple syrup, you will need access to maple trees. You'll also need several pieces of equipment to tap the tree, collect and boil the sap, filter the syrup and store it properly.⁶

• To tap the tree and collect the sap:

1. Cordless drill or bitstock (also called a brace)^{7  6}
2. 3/8 or 7/16 inch drill bit, depending on the size of the spouts or spiles you are using^{8 7} 
3. Spouts or spiles
   • You can purchase these from a supplier, or make your own using elderberry stems or metal tubing^{6 8}
4. A hammer⁸
5. A bucket, jug or other container^{8 6}

• To make and store the syrup:

1. Fireplace or wood stove, located outdoors⁷ 
2. Large metal pan, such as an oven roasting pan ⁶
3. Dry firewood⁶
4. Candy or syrup thermometer⁷ 
5. Canning jars ⁶

Step 1: Choose Trees to Tap

(Creative Commons photo by kylemac)

• Which trees you choose to tap can make a major difference in the amount of sap, and therefore syrup, you will get. Another important factor is the percentage of sugar the sap contains, since sap with a higher sugar content will require less boiling and produce more syrup.⁷  It is difficult to measure the exact sugar content of the syrup and impossible to know exactly how much sap the tree will produce. However, the tree's attributes can give you clues as to the yield of finished maple syrup you can obtain from it.

1. Sugar maple trees usually produce sap with the highest sugar content, and therefore the best yield. These trees are also known as rock maples.⁷ 
2. Sweet sap can also be obtained from red maple trees, and non-maple trees can be used to make syrup as well. These include box elder, walnut, hickory, sycamore and sweet birch.⁸ Regardless of the type of tree you use, the process remains the same.
3. Avoid tapping trees that are less than 10 inches in diameter. These trees may be damaged if they are used to produce maple syrup.⁶
4. Whenever possible, choose trees that have a large crown and many branches. Ideally, the branches should extend towards the ground. These trees usually produce the most sap.⁷ 

Step 2: Tap the Tree

(Creative Commons photo by fly)

• Once you have located a suitable tree or trees, the next step is tapping. Tapping the tree consists of drilling a small hole into the side of the tree, then inserting a spout or spile through which the sap will drain out into a container.⁹ The larger the tree is, the more spouts can be inserted at once, but no tree should be have more than three taps at once.⁷ 

1. Choose a place to drill a hole in the tree. The hole should be located at a convenient height and not directly above or below scars from previous taps.⁹ The spot you drill should also be at least 4 inches to the left or right of previous taps.⁶
2. Drill the hole, using a bit of the same size as the spout or spile you will insert.⁷  The hole should be drilled 2 to 3 inches deep.^{7  6} The turnings or sawdust from the hole should appear damp.⁸
3. Use a hammer to tap the spout or spile firmly into the drilled hole.⁸ It should be in tightly enough that it cannot be pulled out by hand, but take care not to drive the spout in so deeply that it splits the wood.^{6 7} 
4. You may wish to add additional taps in the tree if it is large enough. A tree with a 10 to 20 inch diameter can support one tap, with a 20 to 25 inch diameter can support two, and a tree larger than 25 inches can support three taps. ⁷  The taps should be evenly distributed around the sides of the trees, rather than all in one small area.⁹

Step 3: Collect the Sap

• Buckets are most commonly used to collect sap, but other containers can be used as well.⁸ A clean gallon jug with a hole cut into the side works well.⁶ If you are using a rusty bucket or pail, line it with plastic to prevent the sap from becoming contaminated.⁶

1. Hang your container from the spout or spile so that the maple sap will flow into it.⁷ 
2. Cover the container to prevent rain water from diluting the sap, and to keep out debris and insects.^{8 7} 
3. Check the container daily.⁸ Remove any sap and refrigerate if possible to avoid spoilage.⁶

• 
  How To Make Maple Syrup

• 5minLife Videopedia: How to Make Maple Syrup (Time: 2:46)

Step 4: Make the Syrup

(Creative Commons photo by Mfour)

• Once a sufficient amount of sap has been collected, it's time to make the syrup. Maple syrup has a much higher concentration of sugar than sap does; therefore, most of the water must be boiled off.¹ Maple syrup should always be made using an outdoor wood stove or fireplace, as the process creates a tremendous amount of steam.⁷ 

1. Fill the pan with at least 1 1/2 inches of sap, but leave space at the top of the pan to prevent boiling over.⁷  Greasing the pan's lip with butter or margarine may help prevent boilover.⁶
2. Bring the sap to a full rolling boil over the highest heat possible.⁸
3. Continue to add sap to the pan as frequently as needed to maintain a depth of at least 1 1/2 inches. You can pour cold sap directly into the hot sap without causing any problems.⁶
4. Once the last of the sap has been added, watch closely. At this stage, the syrup can burn quickly and be ruined. Boil the syrup until the temperature reaches 219 degrees F.⁸
5. Remove the finished maple syrup from the heat immediately to prevent scorching.

Step 5: Storage

(Creative Commons photo by Doug Letterman)

• Maple syrup should be canned in clean, sterile jars for long term storage.⁶ Prior to canning, maple syrup is generally filtered, although this is not strictly necessary.⁷  The "sugar sand" contained in unfiltered maple syrup is not harmful, but may cause the syrup to appear cloudy.³

1. Allow the maple syrup to cool completely for at least 12 hours. ⁷ 
2. Filter the syrup using filter material available from specialty maple equipment dealers, or carefully pour the clear portion of the syrup into another container, leaving behind the sediment.^{6 7} 
3. Place clean canning jars upright in a very large pot or canner. Fill the pot and jars with hot water, completely submerging them. Boil for 10 minutes and allow to drain before use.¹⁰
4. Reheat the maple syrup to at least 180 degrees F.⁶
5. Pour the hot maple syrup into the jars, filling them as close to the top as possible.⁶ This will reduce the amount of air in the jars.
6. Seal the jars and place them on their sides while they cool.⁶ This will help to ensure a proper seal and lengthen the shelf life of your maple syrup.
7. Store the jars of maple syrup in a cool, dry place. Opened jars must be refrigerated to prevent spoilage. ⁷ 

Recipes

(Creative Commons photo by Frost Nova)

• Maple syrup is delicious poured over pancakes or waffles, but it's also a versatile cooking ingredient. Below are links to recipes featuring maple syrup.

• Michigan Maple Syrup Association: Recipes - Cookies
• Michigan Maple Syrup Association: Maple Tips & Ideas
• Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association: Maple Syrup Pudding
• Maple Grove Farms: Maple-Glazed Salmon
• Maine Maple Producers Association: Recipes
• Maple Weekend: Maple Recipes
• County of Lewis Industrial Development Agency: Maple Recipes
• Epicurious: Maple Pumpkin Pie
• Massachusetts Maple Producers Association: Recipes

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References for How to Make Maple Syrup

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} About.com: All About Maple Syrup  
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} 5minLife Videopedia: How To Make Maple Syrup (Time: 2:46)
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences: Maple Syrup - A Taste of Nature  
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} : Maple Syrup - Fun Facts and Statistics  
5. ↑ Michigan Maple Syrup Association: Maple Facts, Figures, & References
6. ↑ ^{6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20} Massachusetts Maple Producers Association: Make Your Own!
7. ↑ ^{7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19} The University of Maine: How to Tap Maple Trees and Make Maple Syrup 
8. ↑ ^{8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11} University of Cincinnati Clermont College: Making Maple Syrup (March 2, 2008)
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} YouTube: Making Maple Syrup (Time: 9:53)
10. ↑ Miss Vickie: Canning Jars