Learning and an unexpected surprise

I can't convey, through typing, just how happy I was yesterday as we stood around a pot of boiling sap from maple trees.  I felt like a kid again, watching the bubbling action and knowing that this was how it's been for ages.  Well, not exactly, because our ancestors didn't use a propane turkey fryer.  But any open flame produces heat and if it's hot enough to boil sap, syrup is the result :)

 

10 gallons of sap  (We had just added the liquid from another bucket, so the boiling stopped until the temperature rose again.)

It was cold yesterday so the sap wasn't running.  I tried to catch a droplet in this photo but my camera finger timing was off.

 

 

 

These are the terrific buckets, lids, and spouts from TapMyTrees.com.  Everyone was pleased with them.  Thank you again to Wendy, Deus Ex Machina, and TapMyTrees.com for this terrific giveaway!

 

In past years, my nephew has made sap beer from the maples in his yard with just a bucket or two, treating this as a small hobby.  But I think I can talk him into expanding just a little by asking neighbors about their trees ;)   Now for the unexpected surprise.....

 

 

 

 

 

As the sap starts to boil but before it turns to syrup, there's a clear liquid that tastes wonderful!  According to the information in this booklet, Native Americans and other cultures would drink spring sap to cleanse the body and gain nutrients lost over a long, hard winter.  I'm glad to have learned this sweet secret.  And I've added a few maple trees onto the requirements for my next homestead.

 

Have a sweet Sunday!