How To Identify Buddy Sap?

[cray54]

Is there a meaningful way of identifying if sap is buddy / going to make buddy syrup?

We tap a few different areas. We are starting to get what I think is a buddy flavor, and I want to see if I can identify which area is causing it so I can shut it down and get some more Grade A.

Thank you, Chris

[SeanD]

I remember reading something about a test they are studying/working on, but it's not out yet. I think your best bet is to boil down some sap in a sauce pot. You probably don't need to get it all the way down to syrup to start picking up the off flavors.

My very last batch came out very sour/bitter. I tasted the sap and it didn't taste bad. It didn't even smell that bad when it was boiling and I've had some pretty damp wool smells in the past that have made decent syrup, but this syrup came out really bad.