I understand the maple syrup gatherers got a head start on the season with that really warm spell we had a couple of weeks ago. Although that seems like a good thing, I understand it actually could serve to shorten the season which means there may not be as much maple syrup cooked this year. That bit of information piqued my curiosity….
It seems that sap runs best at around 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and freezing temperatures at night. So when it’s warm 24/7 the sap begins flowing rapidly and without delay. There’s also another consideration. Once the temperature increases to 45 degrees Fahrenheit and above, the sugar content of the sap is reduced so syrup made from the sap is not as yummy. Once the maple trees begin to show buds, the sap stops flowing.
Some facts – typically:
- maple sap is 2 percent sucrose (sugar)
- 20 to 60 gallons of sap produce 1 gallon of syrup
- maple syrup is 66 to 67 percent sugar
So plan to purchase your maple syrup early or you may not get any this year.
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