SUGAR SHACK, SUGAR SHACK YEAH!
Unlike the B52s…we are talking about making sugar, as in maple syrup, not love! Although we do have a love for anything sugar!
It’s that time of year in Vermont where there is steam pouring out of small shacks all across the land. Yes, Vermont can be “steamy!”
The steam comes from the somewhat simple, but time consuming, process of turning the sap that comes from Maple trees into what we all love to pour on our pancakes, 100% pure maple syrup, baby!
Basically, the sap is heated to evaporate the water out of it…who knew tree sap is so watery. Well, what is left over from the process is a pure sugary heaven!
Below is this process simplified, if you want to see the whole process, please click on one of the photos and go through the photo album from start to finish!
STEP 1) RETRIEVE SAP FROM TREE!
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| From Vermont Sugaring! |
STEP 2) EVAPORATE WATER FROM SAP!
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| From Vermont Sugaring! |
STEP 3) CONSUME SYRUP…FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!
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| From Vermont Sugaring! |
Now please enjoy the process in live action!
JIM’S 1 MINUTE GUIDE TO MAKING MAPLE SYRUP!
Hope you enjoy what us country-bumpkins do for entertainment!
Next post…we are going green! As in…shirts, hats, and pants as that is what you wear in the most Irish city in all of the United States for the most Irish Day of the year.
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.WE.ARE.GNOMADS. 
Very cool! I’ve heard it takes a pretty huge amount of sap to make even a small quantity of maple syrup… probably why it’s so expensive. But worth every penny! xo
If you click on the photos…the album will take you through the whole process! And yep…50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup!
Whose farm did you get the photos from?
Is there a central heating plant for farmers to heat the syrup in one spot?
We went to 3 different ones on the outskirts of Brattleboro. Each sugar shack has its own evaporator…they use wood for heating.
Hi, stumbled upon your blog in a search for info about Gracias Lempira (we are considering teaching options in Honduras)– but I am thrilled to find you in the NE somewhere (where else would you be with the sap a’boiling) We’re Mainers, currently living in the Alaskan Bush (teaching)– while in Maine we had a small homestead
(www.nancyplacefarm.blogspot.com) has a little info– but just wanted to say that today is Maine Maple Sunday and we are sorely missing it! Have fun! Read about our Alaskan adventure at http://www.innokoteacher.wordpress.com Also check out http://www.shawnmercer.com for a maple syrup song: Sticky Fingers # 6 on the playlist. Have fun! Yum!
What an exciting adventure you are on! Will enjoy the Sugaring season double for you!