How to Make Maple Syrup

Posted on July 28th, 2009 by Carmelia

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Maple syrup is a delicious syrup that goes so well with pancakes and waffles. If you’re lucky enough to have a sugar maple tree or a black maple tree growing in your garden, you have yourself a source of fresh maple syrup. Here’s how to make your own.

Tools

Power drill with 1/2-inch bit
Bucket
Metal or plastic spout
Wool filter
Candy thermometer
Large and shallow pan
Storage containers for maple syrup

Procedure

Look for a spot on the tree that is around two to four inches from the ground. The spot you choose should be solid, without damage or rot.
Drill a hole around two inches deep into the tree bark. Remove the drill and insert a collection spout in the tree. Place a bucket under the spout so that it will catch the sap.
Once the sap has satisfactorily dripped all out in the bucket, pour the sap into a shallow pan. Put the stove on low heat, because high heat may burn the sap. Let the sap heat to its boiling point. If you had excess sap that didn’t fit the pan earlier, you can add it as some of the sap in the pan evaporates.
Continue boiling until the sap is highly concentrated and thick in that familiar maple syrup fashion.
Skim the surface of the sap to remove foam and other unwanted materials as it is boiling.
Use the candy thermometer to check the temperature every now and then. The syrup is done if it is seven degrees above the boiling point of water.
Turn off the stove and take the pan off the oven. Prepare a bowl where you can pour the filtered maple syrup in.
Use wool cloth to filter your maple syrup. This will remove unwanted particles such as sugar sand, as well as giving the maple syrup a more refined look.
Package the maple syrup while it is at least 180 degrees Celsius or hotter. This will prevent spoilage.