Sap's Flowing!

No longer are there tin buckets hanging from each maple tree to drain the sap before sugaring it into maple syrup-- at least not in our village. Two enterprising, recent Oxford high school graduates started The Oxford Maple Syrup Company. In a forthcoming blipped series you'll see how they are using newer technology to produce syrup from this clear sap you see slowly pouring into the blue, food-grade, 55 gallon drum. It is connected via a plastic tube, like an umbilical cord, to a maple tree. The surface looks a little choppy because as Peter (one of the enthusiastic company owners) explained the ice is forming on the surface. We are standing out on a snowy, cold street chatting about sap collection and the water content of the sap freeze.
So many great old trees line the streets of the village and as I drive around I am often surprised when a bright blue barrel sits out by the street in a place I hadn't expected.
And so, for today, here's an introduction to NY state maple syrup from the source (K.'s tree around the corner from my house).