Summary:
1. Maple syrup season at Dr. T’s Tasty Treats has ended, but plenty of maple products are still available in the Mill Gift Shop.
2. making maple syrup involves collecting sap from maple trees and boiling it to concentrate the sugars.
3. Dr. T and his crew produced about 10 gallons of syrup this season, collecting over 500 gallons of sap.
4. The zoo encourages visitors to support local farms by purchasing maple products from Soukup Farms and Home Farm.
Part of Dr. T’s Tasty Treats hauls from the maple syrup season! We boiled from the beginning of February (the lighter-colored syrup) till this week (the darker-colored). But we have pulled our taps from the trees and shut down the evaporator till next season. All told, Dr. T. and our crew made about 10 GALLONS of syrup, which means we collected about 500 gallons of sap!
Maple syrup season at Dr. T’s Tasty Treats has been a whirlwind of sweet and sticky excitement! This season has been one for the books, from the first sap dripping from the maple trees to the final product in jars. Although our syrup-making endeavors have ended, plenty of maple products are still available in our Mill Gift Shop to satisfy your sweet tooth.
The process of making maple syrup is fascinating and requires skill, patience, and a deep connection to nature. It begins with tapping maple trees in late winter or early spring when the sap starts to flow. At Dr. T’s Tasty Treats, we carefully placed taps into the trees, allowing the sap to flow into collection buckets.
Collecting the sap is an adventure in itself. Every day, our crew ventured into the maple forest to check the buckets and collect the liquid gold that would soon become delicious maple syrup. It was a labor of love, but the sight of the buckets filled with sap made it all worth it.
Once we had collected enough sap, the real magic began. We transported the sap to our evaporator, which would be boiled down to concentrate the sugars. As the sap simmered and bubbled, its sweet aroma filled the air, creating an intoxicating atmosphere in the syrup shack.
The boiling process is a delicate balance of heat and time. On one hand, the sap must reach a high enough temperature to evaporate the water content and thicken into syrup. On the other hand, it cannot be overcooked, as this would result in a burnt flavor. Our skilled team closely monitored the process, ensuring that each batch of syrup was perfect.
As the weeks passed, the color of the syrup gradually changed from a light amber to a rich, dark hue. This transformation results from the sap’s changing chemical composition and boiling time. Each batch of syrup tells a unique story, reflecting the characteristics of the maple trees and the environment in which they grow.
Dr. T and our crew worked tirelessly to bring you the best maple syrup nature has to offer. All told, we produced about 10 gallons of syrup this season. To put that into perspective, we collected over 500 gallons of sap! It’s a testament to our dedication and passion for creating the finest maple syrup.
While our syrup-making season has come to a close, plenty of maple products are still available for purchase in our Mill Gift Shop. We have everything from traditional maple syrup to more unconventional treats like maple cotton candy and maple-covered almonds. By supporting local farms like Soukup Farms and Home Farm, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor and contribute to your community’s sustainability.
So why not come to the zoo and treat yourself to maple goodness? Indulge in our maple products’ sweet and savory flavors while knowing that your purchase supports both nature and local businesses. Whether you’re a longtime fan of maple syrup or a newcomer to its deliciousness, there’s something for everyone at Dr. T’s Tasty Treats.
Join us in celebrating the conclusion of another successful maple syrup season and indulge in the unique flavors that nature has provided. You won’t be disappointed! Remember to follow us on social media for updates and promotions from Soukup Farms and Home Farm. We can’t wait to welcome you to the zoo and share our love for maple!
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Source Description
Part of Dr. T’s Tasty Treats hauls from the maple syrup season! We boiled from the beginning of February (the lighter-colored syrup) till this week (the darker-colored). But we have pulled our taps from the trees and shut down the evaporator till next season. All told, Dr. T. and our crew made about 10 GALLONS of syrup, which means we collected about 500 gallons of sap!
While our syrup-making season is over, we still have lots of maple products for sale in our Mill Gift Shop, including maple syrup, maple cotton candy, maple-covered almonds, and many other treats from our friends and Soukup Farms and Home Farm. So please come to the zoo and pick some up!
@soukup_farms @homefarmmaplesyrup
