Lighter than Fancy

[mfchef54]

Just got my temp. color testor. My first batch seems to be lighter than Fancy.
I double checked my brix and it's correct. flavor is delicate but still there. question is does this happen to others? How do you label it if you get this kind of syrup?

[Dave Y]

Fancy. It is the grade that is the lightest. I have seen syrup with little or no color at all.

[super sappy]

Equal to or lighter than the color of the grade set sample.So if its lighter than the fancy then you will label it fancy. That is the stuff that we keep for candy and cream. -ss

[Jim Brown]

Or you could keep it and blend with some dark later to make Med

[mfchef54]

thanks all for your helpful and thoughtful suggestions. I'm so glad I stumbled on this place.

[peacemaker]

yes remember ever color is the darkest it can be to be that grade ...

[mfchef54]

so let me see if I have this right. If it's darker than fancy and lighter than med it's med?

[maple flats]

correct, it will be medium.

[maplwrks]

Remember----you Can Not Blend Up, You Can Only Blend Down

[peacemaker]

yes if its darker then fancy but lighter then med its med ... but also how are you testing it what kind of light are you using the same light are u filtering it before ...

[SeanD]

Or you could keep it and blend with some dark later to make Med

That's very cool. I didn't know we were allowed to do that. Most of the people I give syrup to (including my own kids) prefer the darker grades. Is there a general rule of thumb with ratios or do you just stir together until you get the color you want?

[Sugarmaker]

mfchef54,
When we make a batch of that the first thing we do is say a little prayer and then pat ourselves on the back a little . You did real Good! That is the ultimate goal of the sugarmaker. That means you have probably done a lot of things correct and have paid a lot of attention to details and maybe had a little luck too.
I did not make light syrup for 30 years! For variuos reasons.

We call ours Albion Ultra Light:) It is just great on about anything! I would not blend it away. I would treasure it, consume mass quantities of it, brag about it, show it to every one, and enter some in your local fair this fall!

Chris

[tapper]

Well said Chris!!

[mfchef54]

Sugar maker,
LOL thank you i did say quite a few prayers and I believe advise from this group help greatly.
Peace maker
I'm filtering before I finish, and filtering after I finish on the stove. I'm using the lights in my house. Should I use some other source of light?

[peacemaker]

nope i just always use the same light ... and i do the same filter before i finish and just before i bottle ..

[Sugarmaker]

Best grading light source is a sunny day looking into the sky. I usually use our east facing windows. Mainly cause I dont have any west facing windows:) They say next best is fluorescent lights. (I still prefer daylight/natural light)

Nice job! the extra filtering will polish the sap and the syrup.

Chris