Question about the color of syrup and storage of sap

[Klonce]

Hello all, I am new to maple syruping. I collected 15 gallons over the past week or so and kept the sap stored in my garage at apx: 45 degrees. We boiled down all 15 gallons and made 4, 8 ounce bottles. I noticed that the color of the syrup was very dark. Is this caused by over cooking or storing it for to long? Any advise is appreciated.

Thanks
Kevin Lonce
84 maple works

[unc23win]

It doesn't look Very Dark maybe it is hard to say without a grade set it might be medium. How is the taste? Generally the longer you keep the sap the darker it will make the syrup. If you want to store it you might want to freeze it.

[Klonce]

It taste strong almost tangy.

[TerryEspo]

Hi Klonce:

You know best how long the sap was stored inside.
Treat it like milk they say.
If the sap you had was milk, the amount of time and at that temp, would the milk still be drinkable ? Would you give that milk to a baby?

I am thinking the sap was a bit off due to temp and time frame before being boiled.

Hope that helps.

Terry

[happy thoughts]

I agree with terry. I don't think the word tangy is a word anyone would use to describe good maple flavor. That makes me think spoiled sap.

If you can't process more frequently try to keep the sap colder. Bury it in the snow if you're lucky enough to have any. Some people freeze water bottles and toss them in the sap. Or better yet freeze some sap to use as a sapcicle.

I've had good luck storing sap in 5 gal gatorade type insulated coolers with 1 or 2 2 liter bottles of frozen sap in each. I just replaced the frozen sap bottles every day. Kept closed tight outdoors in the shade, the sap stayed clear for a week even during warmer weather. Most days the ice in the bottles had barely thawed. You could also use large ice chests. The insides of all insulated plastic ice chests are food safe.

[Big_Eddy]

What did the sap look like before boiled? Clear like water, a touch hazy, cloudy, or like snot? The clearer the better! If you can't see the bottom of a full pail, dump it.

[psparr]

What did you filter with if anything? Could have picked up an off flavor. Maybe something in the pan before boiling?

[Klonce]

The sap was a little cloudy, we kept it in my garage for about a week at 45 degrees never thought of putting water or sap bottles in the pale. I just went and collected about 10 gallons of sap. I have a 30 gallon storage drum and half of it is frozen. So I just poured the extra 10 gallons in a minute ago. i guess when it's time to boil then I will bring the drum in the garage to defrost. Thanks for the advice all.

[Klonce]

We did filter 3 times. We used 100% Cotten hand towel into storage the new white t shirt cut up squares, I just purchased some filters from Amazon for the next batch. The pans are brand new so it shouldn't be about the pans. We will see how the next batch comes out.

Thanks
Kevin Lonce
84 maple

[Klonce]

Thanks again

[maplestudent]

if the hand towel had been laundered, you may have picked up some residual detergent. Also, I don't know what new fabrics (towel and/or t-shirt) may have been washed in before purchase, but I doubt it was just water alone. when you get your new filters...wash them only with hot water, NO detergent.

I had a couple of batches last year that the sap had metabolized and had to dilute the end product syrup and re-boil several times to eliminate it. when I ran that syrup through my synthetic filter, the filter picked up the smell/taste and no matter how many times I washed it in boiling water, I couldn't completely get the smell out. It's almost gone, but still slightly noticeable. I kept the filter.....might use it if I get more metabolized syrup this year (for the first filtering before I dilute and re-boil), but I won't use it for good syrup.

[Ray_Nagle]

It sounds like your sap was spoiled. I had something similar happen last year...I let sap sit in the buckets in 40 deg temps for just a couple days. The sap was a bit "thick" and as soon as I started to boil it, there was a distinctly "tangy" smell to the steam. Needless to say, I stopped boiling and threw out the whole batch...something you should consider.

If you're going to keep sap for more than a day or two, it needs to be kept at cold refrigerator temps...low to mid-30s.

[Sugarmaker]

Welcome!
From what I see your doing pretty good! You have a building, a arch, pans, a fire, and have made and filtered syrup! Keep haveing fun!
Yes keep the sap as cool as possible if stored. Or try to boil more often. I think the color looks good.
Regards,
Chris

[Klonce]

Thanks for all the advise... We did a late night boil last night we call it the moon shine edition!!🌕