When to Stop?

[frjeff]

I am still getting clear sap, but not sure on when I should stop collecting and evaporating. I have read here that the sap will stop when the trees bud. And, I also read not to mess with cloudy sap. Also, something about a "buddy tasting" syrup at some point.

So, even though some of my trees look like their budding, the sap is clear. Should I keep on keeping on or do I run the risk of a "buddy" taste.

[Russell Lampron]

As long as the trees are running keep collecting and boiling. Don't worry about cloudy sap, it will still make good tasting syrup. It's time to stop when the trees bud or you get some other off flavor.

[TreeTapper2]

I have had clear sap with partial budding trees. When I boiled you could smell a woody smell. As it concentrated it did get sweet smelling. But, the syrup did not turn out very good. There is a middle stage between good sap and buddy sap called Metabolism. This can give an off flavor. Not sure if it will work for cooking. but will try it. Heres' something off the web about it:

Metabolism – This is an off-flavor that is attributed to changes in the metabolism of the tree due to a warming of
temperatures. This can be present at any time during the sugaring season, from the first run on. A metabolism offflavor
robs the product of most of its maple flavor. The resulting flavor has been described as woody, peanut
butter, or popcorn. An almost cardboard like flavor may be present. A chocolaty smell may be detected.

[PerryW]

All good advice. If your last syrup tasted good, then keep boiling. You will finally start getting strong tasting syrup with aftertaste. This is metabolic; though some people like it on pancakes, it is generally used for cooking (I have customers that love it). This usually where I quite sugaring, but the next batch is often bud run witha nitter taste.