I agree! Growing up we boiled our own maple syrup in a sap shack in Northern Michigan over a wood burning stove and a large, shallow evaporation bath. We also went out, sometimes twice a day, to collect the sap from a nearby maple grove. You cannot beat that flavor because it also had a slightly smokey hint from the wood fire.
Michael- That's an important highlight right now in the world of syrup. Because of reverse osmosis technology in the industry, big sugar makers can remove 90% of water without boiling! And then they finish it on a gas-fired rig. No smoke... That's pretty much an entirely different product.
There's also the carmalization that occurs with a 24hr boil on inconsistent heat that adds body. It's a similar concept to brewing a beer where both over, and under boiling the wort, especially if using industrially created malt extracts can totally change the flavor.
Fun fact, we used to boil hot dogs in the sap for a delicious lunch while boiling / cutting wood, etc.
Great read. I lived in Huntington and Moretown in the early 2000s such a wonderful place to live. For me, my favorite spring pant is skunk cabbage - grows so darn fast !
I also remember a local classy alcoholic drink with wilds leeks. Do you know the name for that?
It is so practical to share a great list of books, and the why each one is important. But it means more that the application requires moving away from inside into the outside world. It hurts my soul that many have no interest in foraging for ramps or taste the kind offering of sweet sap from a sugar maple but am equally inspired that, "... knowledge does not vanquish mystery or obscure its distant lights." (Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Annie Dillard)
PS - there is no joy that can better learning to build a turnpike and learning that trail problems are most often water problems.
That's well said, Stacy. Funny you reference Pilgrim at Tinker Creek- the book is circulating our household (I'm not sure who's reading it); I need to reread it. Happy sugaring 😊
Great article, Jesse. You always recommend such useful books, I come away with new titles for my TBR. Your treehouse looks like it'll make a great sauna, and it sounds like you provided your children with a pandemic experience they'll be grateful for if they aren't already. Sun shirts are a gamechanger, I like sun hoodies for the neck protection they can offer.
I agree! Growing up we boiled our own maple syrup in a sap shack in Northern Michigan over a wood burning stove and a large, shallow evaporation bath. We also went out, sometimes twice a day, to collect the sap from a nearby maple grove. You cannot beat that flavor because it also had a slightly smokey hint from the wood fire.
Michael- That's an important highlight right now in the world of syrup. Because of reverse osmosis technology in the industry, big sugar makers can remove 90% of water without boiling! And then they finish it on a gas-fired rig. No smoke... That's pretty much an entirely different product.
There's also the carmalization that occurs with a 24hr boil on inconsistent heat that adds body. It's a similar concept to brewing a beer where both over, and under boiling the wort, especially if using industrially created malt extracts can totally change the flavor.
Fun fact, we used to boil hot dogs in the sap for a delicious lunch while boiling / cutting wood, etc.
I've done the same with hot dogs (and hard-boiled eggs). 🙂
I've never done eggs. The Sap dogs were always a fun treat.
Great read. I lived in Huntington and Moretown in the early 2000s such a wonderful place to live. For me, my favorite spring pant is skunk cabbage - grows so darn fast !
I also remember a local classy alcoholic drink with wilds leeks. Do you know the name for that?
Stephen- I'll have to look up that drink- sounds intriguing!
I saw a picture of a Canada Jay on your 'Stack. Such a cool bird!
Update post on the treehouse conversion in the future please!
You got it. I may need to call in an excavator to get it down in one piece!
Great stuff, Jesse. Spring is the time to get outside.
Yes! So much to do...before the heat...before the leaves. Scouting to be done...
It is so practical to share a great list of books, and the why each one is important. But it means more that the application requires moving away from inside into the outside world. It hurts my soul that many have no interest in foraging for ramps or taste the kind offering of sweet sap from a sugar maple but am equally inspired that, "... knowledge does not vanquish mystery or obscure its distant lights." (Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Annie Dillard)
PS - there is no joy that can better learning to build a turnpike and learning that trail problems are most often water problems.
That's well said, Stacy. Funny you reference Pilgrim at Tinker Creek- the book is circulating our household (I'm not sure who's reading it); I need to reread it. Happy sugaring 😊
It is a re-read for me, read maybe two decades ago. I'm in search of a more lighthearted, less strenuous read about now.
Probably pulling taps today. No reason to be greedy this year.
Yeah, though next week is looking like pretty good weather. For lighter reads, I've been falling back to McPhee.
Annals of the Former World is sitting in my closest reading stack. I'll revise my prior comment - "lighthearted, less strenuous, not 700 pages." 😃
I spoke with a friend this morning who relies on sugaring for income, he said the sap is not sweet this year.
Great article, Jesse. You always recommend such useful books, I come away with new titles for my TBR. Your treehouse looks like it'll make a great sauna, and it sounds like you provided your children with a pandemic experience they'll be grateful for if they aren't already. Sun shirts are a gamechanger, I like sun hoodies for the neck protection they can offer.
Thank you, James. Looking back, I'm glad we had the land to occupy us during the pandemic.
I completely agree on the sun shirt front: they've saved my neck, arms, and hands from the sun!