Saturday - March 04, 2006
Sugaring Tours at Ipswich River Audubon Reserve
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Wikipedia "Sap is the fluid carried in tubules inside a plant, circulating to distribute food and water to various parts of the plant."
Maple tree sap is the basic ingredient in maple syrup.
Real maple syrup comes only from Canada and the US. The largest producer by far is Ontario Canada . In the US most of the syrup comes from New England especially Vermont who is the largest American producer. The collecting of Maple sap for the production of syrup has been going on in the US since the Native Americans roamed the woodlands.
The process has changed very little over the years. Sap from the trees is collected , moved to a central location and boiled in some sort of vat until sweet syrup is formed. Over the years new collection methods have come along and quicker and more industrial cookers have been created, but essentially the process has remained the same.
The sugaring season runs for about one month each year. In general, trees are not tapped for the sap until they reach at least ten inches in diameter. It takes about forty liters or sap to make one liter of syrup.
The whole process is a lot of fun to watch for children and adults. The Ipswich River Audubon Reserve provides sugaring tours each year in March. The guides walk you through the entire process all the way to finished product. Much of the tour takes place outdoors in the sanctuary so proper clothing is necessary. The staff puts on an entertaining show and is very patient with questions. The tour takes about one hour, and then you are left to wander on your own.
The reserve is a wonderful place to visit anytime of the year. Numerous other activities are also available at this location including: camping programs, picnicking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, and bird watching.
This is a great way to spend an hour or two on a winter Sunday afternoon.
View the North American Maple Syrup Producers Manual
Overall:
Food: NA, Bring a picnic lunch
Restrooms:
Cost: See Web Site
Hours: See Web Site
Getting there: Map Directions
Maple tree sap is the basic ingredient in maple syrup.
Real maple syrup comes only from Canada and the US. The largest producer by far is Ontario Canada . In the US most of the syrup comes from New England especially Vermont who is the largest American producer. The collecting of Maple sap for the production of syrup has been going on in the US since the Native Americans roamed the woodlands.
The process has changed very little over the years. Sap from the trees is collected , moved to a central location and boiled in some sort of vat until sweet syrup is formed. Over the years new collection methods have come along and quicker and more industrial cookers have been created, but essentially the process has remained the same.
The sugaring season runs for about one month each year. In general, trees are not tapped for the sap until they reach at least ten inches in diameter. It takes about forty liters or sap to make one liter of syrup.
The whole process is a lot of fun to watch for children and adults. The Ipswich River Audubon Reserve provides sugaring tours each year in March. The guides walk you through the entire process all the way to finished product. Much of the tour takes place outdoors in the sanctuary so proper clothing is necessary. The staff puts on an entertaining show and is very patient with questions. The tour takes about one hour, and then you are left to wander on your own.
The reserve is a wonderful place to visit anytime of the year. Numerous other activities are also available at this location including: camping programs, picnicking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, and bird watching.
This is a great way to spend an hour or two on a winter Sunday afternoon.
View the North American Maple Syrup Producers Manual
Overall:
Food: NA, Bring a picnic lunch
Restrooms:
Cost: See Web Site
Hours: See Web Site
Getting there: Map Directions