Tap Into Some Maple Syrup FactsA collection of fun and interesting facts and information about Pennsylvania maple syrup compiled by Hamiltons Maple Products. All of the world's maple syrup is produced in North America. Maple syrup is produced all across the north eastern United States and south eastern Canada. The state of Pennsylvania now ranks fifth in the US for maple syrup production. The United States and Canada are the only maple syrup producing countries in the world.
There are four different kinds of maple trees native to north eastern United States, all of which produce spring sap flows, can be tapped and will produce maple syrup. The four trees are: Sugar Maple (or Hard Maple), Silver Maple (or soft maple), Red Maple (or Swamp Maple), and Ash Leafed Maple (or Box Elder).
The Sugar Maple is the main maple producing tree. The sap from the sugar maple contains about 3% sugar, while the saps from the others contain half to two thirds as much. Also, the syrup made from the other saps are darker and less flavorful.
North Central Pennsylvania has an ideal climate for growing sugar maple trees.
Maple trees live to be over 100 years old but can be tapped when they are about 40 years old or 8 inches diameter at breast height.
As a tree increases in diameter more taps can be added.
Tapping does not permanently damage the tree.
Only 10% of the trees sap is collected each year.
Sap dripping from the sugar maple is one of the true signs that spring is coming to Potter County Pennsylvania.
The maple season may last 4 to 6 weeks, but sap flow is heaviest for 10 to 20 days, which is generally in the early end of the season.
Warm sunny days (above 40º F) and frosty nights (below 32º F) are ideal for sap flow.
The harvest season ends with the arrival of warm spring nights and bud development in the trees.
Sap flowing in high volumes is called a "run".
One tap in a maple tree will prodce around ten gallons of sap, which is enough sap to make one quart of syrup per year.
It takes about 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of Pennsylvania maple syrup.
A gallon of pure Maple Syrup weighs 11 pounds.
The sugar content of sap averages 2.0%. The sugar content of syrup averages 66.5%
To produce 25 gallons of maple syrup it takes 1 cord of seasoned, cut and split firewood. A cord of wood is a neatly piled stack of wood (traditionally cut and split) which is 4-feet wide, 4-feet high and 8-feet long.
Maple Syrup is boiled even further to produce Maple Cream, Sugar and Candy.
It takes one gallon of syrup to produce eight pounds of candy or sugar.
The grades of syrup are actually just differences in flavor and color. All grades are equal quality -- it's just a matter of personal preference. Read about the different grades of syrup.
Pure maple syrup is a natural food, processed from the pure sap of maple trees. During processing, the natural nutrients remain in the syrup.
Hamiltons Maple Products are free from any preservatives or other additives.
Pennsylvannia maple syrup is an excellent source of organic sugar.
Maple Syrup is a 100 % natural and organic product.
Maple Syrup has the same calcium content as Whole Milk.
Maple Syrup is rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. Vitamins B2, B5, B6, niacin, biotin, and folic acid are present in Maple Syrup. Maple Syrup even contains trace amounts amino acids - the building blocks of protein.
Calories per tablespoon:
Pure Maple Syrup 40 calories
Molasses 40 calories
Honey 45 calories
Cane Sugar 52 calories
Corn Syrup 60 calories
Brown Sugar 51 calories
Fructose 46 calories
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