This morning I caught a flurry of activity outside my window.  It was my neighbor collecting sap from the maple tree out front.  Finally, I thought, a sign that spring is truly on its way!

The ideal weather conditions are critical for a successful sap flow.  The daytime temperature needs to climb above freezing and the nighttime temperature needs to be below freezing on a consistent basis.  This fluctuation in temperature causes an internal pressure that gets the sap flowing.

What is the purpose of all this sap flowing through the trees?  The sap (a mixture of sugar and forty parts water) is drawn through the trees to the buds that will then fatten open in about six weeks.

Now, all trees produce sap.  Maple trees, however contain a high concentration of sugar in their sap.  Because of the high sugar concentration, maple trees are able to produce a syrup with a rich flavor.

It’s not only the sugar maple that can be tapped.  Although, the sugar maple is the gold standard for syrup because its sap it typically 2%-3% sugar.  Sugar maples also offer the best yield and longest tapping season.

Maple sugaring was introduced to the European settlers by the Native Americans.  Maple sugar was one of the products the first immigrants traded for with the indigenous people.  Maple sugar is what is left once the boiling process goes past syrup.  The crystallized sugar is what is left when all the water is boiled away.

Maine is the third largest syrup producer in the nation and produces 575,000 gallons of maple syrup in an average season, which contributes more than $55 million to the state’s economy, according to the Maine Maple Producer’s Association.

The Maine Sugarhouses will be in full production over the next month, and they will celebrate the spring syrup production with the 42st annual Maine Maple Sunday weekend March 22-23.  Sugarhouses will be offering samples and demonstration on how pure Maine maple syrup is made.  Many farms offer games, activities, treats, sugarbush tours and so much more.  Please visit this link for more information: Maine Maple Sunday .

Make a point to head out visit one, or more, of these Maine sugarhouses and enjoy a taste of spring!

Teresa Dyer-Ferent, Mr. Lakefront Inc

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