First, I'm not trying to sell you anything, just offer a little encouragement to folks who have considered making syrup. I am a retiree living in central Missouri and a "maple syrup enthusiast" who has been tapping trees since 2014. I am no expert in the field- in fact there are several Missouri syrup producers who use much more advanced technology than our family uses. I love the taste of the syrup; it is much more flavorful than commercially available pancake syrup, and I like being active in the winter. There are vast resources of trees in Missouri that could be tapped, and there is a growing demand for natural, locally grown products. I am trying to get more Missourians to try making it as a hobby or as a seasonal business, so that the use of this Missouri resource can increase.
The best time to learn about syrupmaking is now! You will need time to research the process, see how others do it (check out my Profiles page), and get the supplies needed to make a product that is worthy of your pancakes. Typically, the reliable sap flow in mid-Missouri begins around mid January and continues for about 6 weeks before the tree budding causes sap quality to deteriorate. Sap flow typically occurs in trees when daytime temperatures are above freezing after a night with below freezing temperatures.
How much sap will a tree produce? Cloud cover, snowpack, wind, changes in atmospheric pressure, soil moisture conditions, tree health, size of leaf canopy, and amount of direct sunlight affect sap production and its sugar content. Similar trees adjacent to each other may have entirely different productivity. In good conditions, an average tree will produce 20 gallons of sap in a season. Seems like a lot doesnt it? But when you consider that 40 gallons of sap are needed to yield 1 gallon of syrup, you can appreciate the work needed, not just to handle the sap but to evaporate all of that water. 20 gallons of sap could produce a half gallon of syrup- maybe enough for your family for a year?
If you have never tried REAL maple syrup, may I suggest you buy a small bottle during your next shopping trip; it will probably be from Canada or a northeastern state. I think you will be amazed at the flavor characteristics. You may prefer it to the supersweet thick corn syrup products from the big brands. If you are looking to buy real Missouri maple syrup, it is a RARE commodity. Try contacting your local farmer's market; consumer inquiries will help get the word out to grove owners that there is an unmet demand for it. My hope is that this website eventually leads to Missouri syrup becoming more available. Please forward a link to this website to anyone who may have interest in syrupmaking.
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