Thought I heard it all.

[happy thoughts]

....Or we can sell all our syrup unfiltered and cloudy because its healthier that way.

That's exactly why people buy it, not because it's actually healthier but because they perceive it that way. The niter does contain minerals and nutrients but I doubt they realize that heavy metals like lead and zinc could be present in old buckets and pans and would be concentrated in the niter if they were used for collection and processing. Lead removal is the major reason for filtering in the first place especially when it's use in containers and evaporator pans was common.

Also, I don't think unfiltered syrup could be sold as grade A or B under the current grading system because it has to be reasonably clear by USDA standards. Not sure if that will change or not under the new grading system which seems to grade on just color and flavor. But if unfiltered syrup is allowed for retail sales, then I'm sure there'd be a market for it in some circles.

[Mark]

I had one caller tell me that grade B was closer to the tree, didn't bother asking what he meant.

Need to start another internet rumor that syrup enhances other things to get the sales up!

[nymapleguy607]

That's exactly why people buy it, not because it's actually healthier but because they perceive it that way. The niter does contain minerals and nutrients but I doubt they realize that heavy metals like lead and zinc could be present in old buckets and pans and would be concentrated in the niter if they were used for collection and processing. Lead removal is the major reason for filtering in the first place especially when it's use in containers and evaporator pans was common.

Also, I don't think unfiltered syrup couldn't be sold as grade A or B under the current grading system because it has to be reasonably clear by USDA standards. Not sure if that will change or not under the new grading system which seems to grade on just color and flavor. But if unfiltered syrup is allowed for retail sales, then I'm sure there'd be a market for it in some circles.

I was just poking fun at some of the things customers percieve. I don't plan on selling the filter press anytime soon. Maybe the New Jersey woman thinks that they are still sugaring because the people never pulled the taps, gotta love it.

[happy thoughts]

I was just poking fun at some of the things customers percieve. I don't plan on selling the filter press anytime soon. Maybe the New Jersey woman thinks that they are still sugaring because the people never pulled the taps, gotta love it.

Assuming the niter is safe as it most likely is these days with SS and plastic equipment, I actually don't think it's a bad idea and could help generate sales. I think the niter tastes like c^^p but if someone wants to pay for it because they think it's healthy, who can argue? It's all about reading the market to maximize profit

[1tapattack]

That's exactly why people buy it, not because it's actually healthier but because they perceive it that way. The niter does contain minerals and nutrients but I doubt they realize that heavy metals like lead and zinc could be present in old buckets and pans and would be concentrated in the niter if they were used for collection and processing. Lead removal is the major reason for filtering in the first place especially when it's use in containers and evaporator pans was common.

Also, I don't think unfiltered syrup couldn't be sold as grade A or B under the current grading system because it has to be reasonably clear by USDA standards. Not sure if that will change or not under the new grading system which seems to grade on just color and flavor. But if unfiltered syrup is allowed for retail sales, then I'm sure there'd be a market for it in some circles.

i would think the sediment and niter would all settle to the bottom, until the bottle was shaken. so after it stood still for a bit the syrup would appear to have the grade A clarity

[Bucket Head]

Just finished stuffing the Ryder truck. I'm movin' to Jersey!

Note to all: Remove the bricks from your arch before loading onto the truck. I just bent the heck out of that little aluminum ramp.

Steve

[happy thoughts]

i would think the sediment and niter would all settle to the bottom, until the bottle was shaken. so after it stood still for a bit the syrup would appear to have the grade A clarity

That's true, but even by the new VT standards, the presence of niter would seem to disqualify it from the premium retail grades including what is sold as grade B under the old law. The new law specifies that dark and very dark syrup must be "free of any material other than pure, clear, clean liquid maple syrup". The older USDA regs are more vague. The difference between A and B clarity is written as practically clear vs fairly clear. Though I may be wrong, I assume that would mean the absence or near absence of settled niter.

[DrTimPerkins]

Not sure if that will change or not under the new grading system which seems to grade on just color and flavor.

The new grading system requires that syrup be free from turbidity and sediment, just like the previous system.