Monday, February 28, 2000

Maple syrup annual drill at state park

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BY JENNY CALLISON
Enquirer Contributor

        MASSIE TOWNSHIP — The surge of sap in the sugar maple is a sure sign that spring can't be far off.

        On Sunday, Caesar Creek State Park and Pioneer Village celebrated that rite of spring with the site's annual Maple Syrup Tours and Brunch. Visitors explored the maple grove and tried tree tapping before returning to the sugarhouse where they watched gallons of sap boil down to a sweet sticky syrup. Then they poured syrup from previous years' harvests on stacks of pancakes.

        After viewing the process from sap to syrup, visitors can appreciate the volume of slightly sweet maple sap — 40 gallons — required to produce one gallon of syrup.

        If you missed the weekend ritual, don't despair! Several other state parks host maple syrup events in early to mid-March.

        Although Ohio maple syrup may not enjoy the cachet of Vermont products, it enjoys a loyal following and should be treated with respect, according to the Ohio State University Extension Service.

        Glass, plastic or tin are safe receptacles, according to Extension Service spokeswoman Barbara H. Drake.

        “The three main enemies of maple syrup are air, time and temperature,“ she said.

        To keep the sweet treat at its peak, she recommends that after purchase, pure maple syrup should be refrigerated immediately in glass or tin containers.

        Plastic, which allows the syrup to breathe, is not good for long-term storage. Freezing syrup for up to a year is possible in glass or tin containers.

       

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