percent of sugar in maple sap

[old tom]

I know there is supposed to be about 3% sugar in maple sap. Is that only Sugar Maples, how much would be in Red, Silver, Box Elder or other Maples? Thank you for reading this

Old Tom

[KV Sappers]

I wish you could just say Sugar Maples give you 3%, reds give you 2%, ect. ect. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. Depends on the tree, location, weather, sugarbush in general. One persons Sugar Maple may have sap of 2.5% while anothers may be 1.5%. I have mainly reds and I average anywhere from 1.2 to 1.7 just depends. A guy up the road may have red maples and he or she may be getting 1 to 1.3.

[sapman]

I, too, have mainly reds/silvers, and run about the same as KV's. About 600 are Sugars, but they typically are about the same as the soft maples, in my case.

[markct]

Its not just the type of tree, its the growing conditions, thinning, soil, all kinds of variables. I have primarily red maples in one bush, it usualy runs about 1.5 to 1.7 percent, i have another area of all sugar maples and pretty well spaced out they run 2.7 usualy, another area of sugar maples i have only gives about 2.4 percent, and even these all vary year to year and at different times of the season

[Galena]

OK silly noob question, as thus far I have simply been collecting and boiling and making syrup in ignorant bliss.

How do I learn my sugar content? Isn't that the Brix I keep hearing about? Do I need to collect sap from all my trees or just a couple to make a little test batch? Do I have to collect sap at a certain time to get the most accurate reading? If so then how much do I need and how do I test it or get it tested for the sugar content? We are fortunate to have a U of Guelph campus in the immediate area, and they collect their own sap too, so there are resources available.

[Starting Small]

OK silly noob question, as thus far I have simply been collecting and boiling and making syrup in ignorant bliss.

How do I learn my sugar content? Isn't that the Brix I keep hearing about? Do I need to collect sap from all my trees or just a couple to make a little test batch? Do I have to collect sap at a certain time to get the most accurate reading? If so then how much do I need and how do I test it or get it tested for the sugar content? We are fortunate to have a U of Guelph campus in the immediate area, and they collect their own sap too, so there are resources available.

You can call a maple equipment supply company and order a sap hydrometer. Just like a syrup hydrometer except it measures the sugar content in sap instead of sugar. Have fun!
-Dave

[happy thoughts]

OK silly noob question, as thus far I have simply been collecting and boiling and making syrup in ignorant bliss.

How do I learn my sugar content? Isn't that the Brix I keep hearing about? Do I need to collect sap from all my trees or just a couple to make a little test batch? Do I have to collect sap at a certain time to get the most accurate reading? If so then how much do I need and how do I test it or get it tested for the sugar content? We are fortunate to have a U of Guelph campus in the immediate area, and they collect their own sap too, so there are resources available.


Sap is tested with a sap hydrometer or a refractometer. I don't make enough syrup to make either worth the money. Hydrometers are notorious for breaking. Put your money into buying an extra syrup hydrometer if you're really itching to buy something:). Your sap is what it is and unless you have more trees to tap than you know what to do with, are culling trees, or buying/selling sap where price depends on sugar content, I wouldn't worry about it. If you have resources at guelph you could always ask them to test a sample if you're in the area and can bring in a fresh sample. That's just my 2 cents anyway:)

[Galena]

Ok, thanks guys, will see if my sugaring mentors have a sap hydrometer. If not then they'll know who at U of Guelph to go see.

[Starting Small]

http://mapleguys.com/index.php?category=9
You can pick up one for $12.00 from MapleGuys
-Dave

[Allan Limoges]

I bought a digital refractomer last year. Works great, quick and easy. It was about $200 online.