Late winter and early spring is the prime time for maple sap collection. The maple trees produce sap when the temperatures rise and fall above and below freezing. Our friends bought land in an area rich with maple trees and for the last few years have made a hobby out of collecting the sap and then boiling it down to syrup. It takes many gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. It’s fun to drive through the woods this time of year and see how many people are doing the same. Daily our friends venture to their land to collect the sap from the trees and then boil the sap down to syrup a couple times after that. The boiling process for them often can take a full day and a late night. We are lucky to have friends that can provide a great treat for our pancakes, oatmeal, chai drinks and baked beans!
They are a small production compared to 2 of the major North Shore syrup producers in Lutsen - Caribou Cream located off the Caribou Trail and Wild Country which is further up the Caribou Trail to the Honeymoon Trail. If you ever have the chance to check out their facilities it is worth it. They both have sugar shacks that sell their products any time of the day or any time of the year. You won’t be buying Mrs. Butterworths after one taste of their syrup! One other thing that is guaranteed is they both will have the most beautiful trees to see in the fall. - Kris
Collecting Sap to Make Maple Syrup
