My Box Elder trees (otherwise known around here as Manitoba Maples) finally started running a day or two ago. In case I didn't care for what I'd heard was a slightly different flavour, I kept separate what I collected. I only had about a gallon, so thought I'd cook it up on the stove to see what I thought of the flavour and whether or not I was going to keep the taps in those trees or move them to sugars

Well!

It is unbelievabley GOOD! I wasn't expecting such a pronounced butterscotch flavour. I can't detect any maple at all, only a deep and delicious butterscotch toffee.

I'm definitely keeping the taps in and separating the sap so that I can cook up a pure batch. I'm SO glad I tried this!