March 08, 2013
Here in the Adirondacks many of us anticipate the start of the maple sap flowing with the same excitement reserved by most people for things like Christmas. The incredible flavor of real, honest-to-goodness maple syrup is like no other. Indulging in a shot of hot maple syrup straight out of the evaporator is just heaven! Pouring it over 'corn snow' is another taste indulgence you just can't even describe.

Maple syrup on corn snow
Maple syrup on corn snow
    

 

This weekend the air temperatures around Lake Placid are predicted to rise into the 40's. With those daytime temperature rises the sap begins to flow. Maple producers have been working for weeks getting their taps and tap lines ready. The lines snake through the maple forests like a maze, with junctions and collections lines increasing in size as all the "tributaries" come together in the huge collection vats that supply the sugar houses.

On average, it takes about 10 gallons of sap to produce one quart of syrup. Sap flows at greatly differing rates from year to year and tree to tree. One tree may produce 5 gallons and another up to 80 gallons. The temperature during the day and the temperature at night have a great deal of influence on the sap flow from day to day. Cold nights and nice warm days make for ideal sap conditions.

If you'd like to learn more about maple production, plan on attending the NYS Maple Producers celebration, Maple Weekends, on March 16-17 and 23-24. Participating maple producers will offer tours of their sugar houses, tastings and walks through their forests of tap lines, with guides explaining every step of the process. You'll be amazed at the miles of tap lines supplying sap to the evaporators. There are many pancake breakfasts scheduled throughout the region as well. NYS Maple Producers Maple Weekend website has more detailed information.

This time of year if you happen to notice a small building with billowing steam rising from the roof, chances are it's a maple syrup evaporator in operation. In addition to the larger producers, there are many small producers who boil down sap just for themselves and friends and family. They love talking about the production process so don't be afraid to stop and ask.

Maple sugar house
South Meadow Farm - steam rising from the evaporator

 

This year Lake Placid will be expanding on the Maple Weekends celebration with "Sweetening Up Lake Placid". Retail stores, restaurants and lodging facilities will be offering maple-related promotions and special menus celebrating the stars of the early spring season in the Adirondacks - maple products. Lake Placid's celebration is scheduled for the same dates as Maple Weekends, March 16-17 and 23-24.

See you on the tap lines!

Maple syrup on corn snow
Maple syrup on corn snow
Maple sugar house
South Meadow Farm - steam rising from the evaporator

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