The process of making maple syrup is an age-old tradition of the North American Indians, where it was used both as a food and very often as a medicine. Not much has changed since the American Indian first discovered how to tap maple trees and get its sweet sap.

The process of making maple syrup has not changed in all these years. The sap needs to be boiled to remove the water and get maple syrup.

Late winter and early spring is when the maple trees are tapped. The sap is then collected and boiled down to make maple syrup. Making 1 gallon of syrup requires boiling down about 40 gallons of sap, which is a slow and labor intensive process. The secret to making maple syrup is heat, lots and lots of heat.

The groves of maple trees that cover the Northeastern United States and Canada arecalled the sugarbush, and the process of producing maple syrup is known as sugaring. Making maple syrup is one of Agriculture's oldest natural commodities.

The history of Maple Syrup is nearly as old as the land itself. Maple syrup is a true American food, and the art of making maple syrup is generally attributed to Native Americans. The native population of North America was making maple products when Europeans first arrived.

You can make maple syrup with very little equipment, and you probably already have most of these items. Most of the equipment can be purchased at your local store, and the items that are unique to making maple syrup such as spiles, (spouts) hydrometers, and finishing filters can be purchased at maple syrup equipment suppliers, or you can find them online.

We find most people are not aware of the many different uses of maple syrup, other than the usual 'pancakes and syrup'. You should try pure Maple Syrup on .... hot cereal, granola, winter squash, or sweet potatoes. Use it as a glaze on meat, or poultry and over ice cream for a tasty treat. For a special treat try it in coffee, milk or a milkshake. The many uses for maple syrup are never-ending.

Maple syrup is a crop in which there is no surplus. Maple syrup is only produced in North America, since Europe does not have the proper weather conditions conducive to making enough sap. All maple syrup is not created equal, and producing maple syrup is a source of pride for many Northeastern States in the US, and most of Canada.

Maple syrup is boiled even further to produce maple cream, sugar, and candy, and is a natural sweetener that has many health benefits. Fresh maple syrup is without question one of the first signs of spring.

If you are interested in making maple syrup for yourself, you will find complete instructions, along with a complete list of the equipment that is necessary at