In professional maple syrup production, the maple syrup maker will boil anywhere from about five gallons to 13 gallons of sap down to about a quart of maple syrup. When the syrup reaches 7 degrees Fahrenheit over the boiling point of water (212 degrees F), or 219 degrees F, the syrup should be done.
How do I know when my maple syrup is done boiling?
Finished maple syrup will be 7°F above the temperature of boiling water at your elevation. Your syrup or candy thermometer will tell you this. If you have a larger operation you may get a syrup hydrometer and testing cup which will tell you when the syrup is done.
How much does maple syrup boil down?
As the sap boils down, the sugars in the sap begin to caramelize (creating a golden color) and the watery sap begins to get thicker. Depending on size of a backyard operation, it can take all day to boil down 15-20 or more gallons of sap.
When should I start finishing maple syrup?
Finishing the Syrup
When there is 1 -1 1/2 gallons left in that single pot, we bring it inside to finish boiling on the stove. This allows us to control the temperature easier. Only the sap comes inside, my sooty sap pots stay outside! The sap gets filtered through a white cotton dishtowel into an inside pot.
What is the boiling point of syrup?
Maple syrup boils at a higher temperature than water due to its sugar content. Water boils at 212°F, while maple syrup boils at 219°F. For this reason, you want to continue boiling your sap until it reaches a temperature of 219°F.
Can you stop boiling maple sap and start again?
Can you stop in the middle of boiling maple sap, then start up again? Yes, since it typically requires long periods of time to boil down sap, it is quite common to boil the sap for several hours one day, then cover the sap or put it into a refrigerated environment overnight, and then continue boiling the next day.
How do you filter maple syrup after boiling?
Maple syrup that has been heated above 200°F will release more sugar sand and will need to be re-filtered. Use a paper type pre-filter before filtering through the main filter. This will expand the life of the main filter.
How long will sap keep before boiling?
Storing your sap
The sap should be stored at a temperature of 38 degrees F or colder, used within 7 days of collection and boiled prior to use to eliminate any possible bacteria growth. If there is still snow on the ground, you may keep the storage containers outside, located in the shade, and packed with snow.
Can you boil maple syrup too hot?
You can’t run too hot as long as the depth in the pan is at least 3/4″. Just keep in sap/concentrate flowing in. The faster you boil and the longer the boil at a fast boil the lighter the syrup. I rarely have Foam I the front pan… even with concentrate flowing into the back pan.
What is floating in my maple syrup?
The good news is that the mold that grows in maple syrup is non-toxic (via Epler’s Maple Syrup). … Instead, remove the mold from the surface of the maple syrup, then heat it to boiling. Let the syrup cool, skim off any remaining floaties, and add it to a clean container. Your maple syrup is safe to eat again!
What temperature does sap boil at?
The sap should be at a boiling temperature around 217°F to 218°F. Transfer the concentrated sap to a smaller boiling pan or pot and complete the finishing process on a controlled heat source such as a gas burner, camp stove or kitchen range.
How long do you boil sap to make maple syrup?
Fill a boiling pot with 5 gallons of sap. Boil the sap for approximately 4 hours. When you have about a half gallon left in the pot, finish boiling on a stove. The syrup is done when it reaches 219°F or 66% sugar content.
Should maple syrup be refrigerated?
When unopened, you can store pure maple syrup for at least a year (or more) in the pantry at room temperature. Once opened, you’ll need to store it in the fridge. … Once opened, store pure maple syrup in the refrigerator to prevent it from spoiling or growing mold.
Why is some maple sap yellow?
Maple Sap Color
One reason for off-color sap collecting in buckets could be bacterial growth. … Another reason behind yellow maple sap is tapping the trees during bud break, or when their buds begin to start producing leaves, according to the University of New Hampshire.