From Mr. Handsome:
Last winter went down in family history as our first year making maple syrup from the trees on our property. You may remember our blog post about it. We had much success and even more fun that we decided to give it another try this year. The first weekend gave us our purest and tastiest syrup yet.
We upped our game in a few different ways. First, we actually bought equipment from an authentic maple syrup supply company, instead of using metal pipe and plastic tubing from Home Depot. We were able to get a tighter seal all the way from the tree to collection bucket so no bugs or rainwater can contaminate the sap. We also upgraded our filters to remove more of the sediment and create a more pure syrup.
What didn’t change was how much time it took to make the syrup. It takes something like 50 gallons of sap to yield one gallon of syrup. I spent all day boiling sap over a fire just to get about a quart and a half of syrup. It is obviously not a cost effective or time efficient way to get syrup, but the experience is what matters. For a lot of the time, Little Buddy sat with me.
An added benefit was that boiling maple syrup turned out to be a great science lesson for Little Buddy. We had just read a book about how matter can move from solid to liquid to gas. Little Buddy was literally able to watch a solid turn into a liquid and then a gas when he saw the chunks of frozen sap melt and then boil off into steam.
He then asked, “Daddy why does hot air rise?” I was dumbfounded that a four-year-old had the mental capacity to see the hot steam rise and wonder why it happened. It turned out to be a very difficult question to answer in an age appropriate way. I tried to explain how the molecules move faster, which causes them to expand, making the air less dense. This was unfortunately over his head, but I assured him he will learn all about it when he is older.
The day spent boiling maple syrup turned out to be a sweet success!
Don’t be dumbfounded. Little kids are very smart and observant. They miss nothing. Enjoy your syrup!!
A solid turned into gas?
I was a little confused as well, so I asked my husband for clarification. Some of the sap was frozen to start.
That’s amazing! We used to eat maple syrup a lot then we had to start rationing it because it’s so expensive and now I barely use it. Little Buddy might enjoy the Chris Ferrie books. You can purchase from Ebay. The author takes complex ideas and simplifies them for young kids.
I’ve seen those books at the library. I’ll look at them next time I’m there. Thanks for the suggestion!
Such a tasty and timely lesson for Little Buddy! And now you have syrup. 😊
LOL YOUR HUSBAND IS A SAP!!!!! LOVE U 4!!!
I wouldn’t go thru all that no matter what the experience. I can get 8 oz. of pure maple syrup for $3.99 at the grocery store.
I am always impressed with your style of parenting. First of all, to get Little Buddy to sit with you while the sap boils amazes me. I am a grandma, and I get bored waiting for the water to boil for Mac ‘n Cheese. Secondly, you find so many ways to incorporate learning into doing hands-on fun things. It’s a blessing being side by side with your children watching them grow and learn. To top it off, I bet that quart of syrup is wonderful for pancakes!
Thank you for your encouraging words, Barb. They really made my day 🙂
Science in action! The perfect way to learn. Fun, facts, results, and a sweet treat at the end. Love this. Kudos on making maple syrup and involving Little Buddy every step of the way.