Trending
MESOPOTAMIA — The business of boiling sap to make maple syrup requires patience and consistent, hot fire.
Peter Schaden, owner of the End of the Commons General Store, the oldest general store in Ohio, said he demonstrates sap boiling outside of the shop to help others learn the process.
Those with access to at least five good taps can produce enough sap to make it worth purchasing a sap boiler.
Harvesting sap has to be done at a particular time of the year. The temperature during the day has to rise to at least 50 degrees, but sink below freezing in the evening for the sap to flow, Schaden said. Sap collection ends when trees begin to bud, because sap collected after a tree buds is rancid, he said.
Schaden said he brings in an “expert” syrup maker to assist on sap boiling days. Brad Baker objected to the term “expert,” but Schaden said the term is justified.
Read more in Sunday’s Tribune Chronicle.