042: Maple Syrup Making
There's just something special about shopping at God's grocery store. When you gather something from the land and prepare it without additives, preservatives or chemicals, a feeling of satisfaction is sure to follow. There is literally something available every month of the year if we look for it. In February, this item is often maple syrup, or more specifically, maple sap. The syrup comes after some cooking.
As is often the case with our outdoor pursuits, weather is a major component. In late winter, when the daytime temperatures get above freezing, but nighttime values are well below thirty two degrees, the sap will begin running. When there is a stretch of several consecutive days with these temperature splits in the forecast, I gather my tree tapping tools.
Since I do things the redneck way, my tools consist only of my cordless drill, baling wire, 5/16 plastic tubing, 3/8" drill bit, and gallon water jugs. The podcast this week will cover my entire process of tapping the trees, collecting the sap, and cooking it into syrup. We will also talk about tapping walnut trees and some of the benefits of preparing the syrup on a wood stove.
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