2:01

Measuring Syrup Density

By: uvmext

Most people know that to make maple syrup you have to do a lot of boiling. You collect the sap from the trees and you evaporator the water while concentrating the sugars. You might not know that to determine if you actually have correct density sy...

1:32

North American Maple Syrup Council

By: uvmext

The North American Maple Syrup Council is an international organization, founded in 1961. The purposes of the Council are to promote research in the chemistry and technology of maple sap and the products derived from it; in sugarbush management an...

1:19

Organic Maple Syrup

By: uvmext

Certified organic maple syrup is produced by many Vermont maple producers and generally commands a higher price in the marketplace. In order to legally market your syrup as "organic" an approved third-party certifier such as Vermont Organic Farmer...

1:31

Photosynthesis

By: uvmext

The sugaring season has been over for a while. Maple trees ended their annual period of dormancy when their winter buds broke, allowing new leaves to emerge. These lush green leaves are now working to produce all the energy needed for the tree to ...

0:46

Regulations

By: uvmext

Vermont laws governing the production and sale of pure maple syrup grant the authority to regulate to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets. The regulations that have been developed as a result of those laws cover everything from the ...

0:48

Reverse Osmosis

By: uvmext

Some producers use membrane separation (called "reverse osmosis" or simply "RO" within the maple industry) in addition to evaporation with heat. In this process, sap is forced through membranes that have pores which are large enough for water to p...

0:55

Sanitation

By: uvmext

Like people, plants have strong mechanisms to prevent the spread of microorganisms within their tissues. Trees are capable of "walling off" wounds to prevent infections from spreading throughout the tree. This healing process also slows, and event...

0:55

Spouts

By: uvmext

Although bucket spouts are still available, most spouts used in the maple industry currently are plastic and designed to be used with vacuum. Spouts are constructed of food-grade nylon or polycarbonate and are smaller in size (5/16" diameter) than...

1:14

Sugarbush Management 1

By: uvmext

Sugar makers rely on healthy, abundant maple trees to provide sap each spring. Taken together a group of maple trees managed for sap collection is called a sugarbush. Developing a healthy, productive sugarbush takes time and effort. Forests are hi...