Can you believe it's almost time to start sugaring? Here in New England, sugaring season is a harbinger of spring, and a good excuse to stand around outside while still feeling warm and toasty. I can practically smell the fragrant steam rising off the sap as it evaporates...
If you're planning to tap trees this year, now is a good time to start looking for supplies. Taps and buckets or line and a larger container for collection, an evaporator, thermometers, and containers to hold all the delicious syrup you'll have when you're done. If you don't have trees of your own, ask around -- a neighbor may be willing to let you tap on his or her land.
Even if you're not sugaring on a large scale, you can buy a few taps and buckets and try making a tiny amount of syrup on your stovetop -- or even just one tap and bucket if you have one maple tree. It's a fun springtime ritual, especially with children. Just make sure you boil down your sap within a few hours of collecting it, and use a shallow pan, like a roasting pan or a stainless steel lasagna pan.
Photo © Flickr user DNAMichaud
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