Is it time to pull the taps? Do you get a funny taste if you dont?

[Michaeljp86]

My brother in law said everyone by him pulled their taps last week. We are still getting tons of sap. He said he boiled some down the other day and it had a funny taste. He was wondering if that's why everyone pulled their taps because the flavor changes???

[PerryW]

Yes, the sap can still look clear but the syrup starts having a strong flavor with an aftertaste (metabolic or pre-metabolic taste). Still not to bad, but syrup suited more for cooking. Then, the next sap run will usually be bud run, which will smell bad boiling and have a bitter flavor. Usually when you hear the Peepers, the sap will be buddy. There's really no way of telling except to do a test boil, but if your last batch of syrup tasted good, I would go for it.

[DonMcJr]

Where in Michigan are you? Mine Still tastes fine...

[crawflyer]

I boil till it tastes off. My wife use maple for almost all of her cooking and baking instead of sugar. The off tasting stuff if great for that. My last boil I run a little heavy and she uses that first.

[Michaeljp86]

Im in southern michigan a few miles from the indiana line. He said it tasted good but it smelled really bad. He said he used one of those teflon non stick pans. Maybe that was the problem. Im going to boils some down tonight and see what mine here tastes like.

[DonMcJr]

I'm near Port Huron, a bit more north... I do have buds that are close to opening though but the sap is still clear and smells good boiling...

[Michaeljp86]

The sap is clear at least on my trees, my brother in law may have different trees tapped. I know he has 2 silver maple in the front yard that have big buds. My red maple here at home are starting to bud out.