69 brix after canning

[socram]

I opened a couple jars that I canned a few months ago. They tasted off to me, too sweet I thought, so I got out my refractometer and they are closer to 69brix. Did I do something wrong? No crystalization and syrup looks clear, I think its ok to eat, but I'd rather find out what I did wrong. I had one other jar that tasted off to me that I dumped a couple months ago. Then I had another jar that was fine and when that emptied and I reached for another I got to jars like this at 69brix.


I'm pretty small time, made about 13 quarts of syrup this year. This was my first year to have enough to can. I finished boiling inside on my stove in each of my 2 boils. i boiled to syrup (as measured by refractometer - 66.5%) and then removed from heat and waiting for temp to decrease to about 200degF and then poured through filter into jars. Immediately covered and inverted until cool.

Appreciate any thoughts....

[MapleMark753]

If you can describe your refractometer and how you use it, that would be helpful. Also, what is the temp of the syrup as you are using the refractometer?
Just from what you wrote-- how long did the syrup sit until it was "about 200degF" ? Even off and away from heat, your syrup will continue to evaporate some while it cools. Lastly, many will associate tasting "off" with syrup defects, but you're saying it just tasted too sweet and not any objectionable flavor?
take care, Mark

[socram]

I have a refractometer from Amazon. Certainly not high end but appears accurate for both honey and maple syrup.

Ade Advanced Optics Brix Refractometer - High Measuring Range Honey tester 58%-90%. Beerkeeping, bees Tri-Scales https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008S2E4P4..._vf0Lzb9Z4BK8W

The syrup was cooled before testing, in a small cup. Warm, not hot. Don't know exact temp. I always ate the in tested portion, it was slightly warm.

The syrup sat maybe 15 minutes? I was dealing with small volumes so didn't take that long to cool.

As for taste, my wife judges better and it was she that noticed it to be sweeter than usual. Maybe 'off' isn't the right word- it wasn't bad, just not normal. Honestly, this is for personal use, so if it is safe to eat and I just need less on pancakes because it's a bit concentrated, I'm all good, but I want to know how to have consistent results. And I know there is a risk of crystallization (which I haven't yet seen).

[maple flats]

Temperature is everything when reading a hydrometer. Look up a Maple Syrup density chart and you will see that the hydrometer reading changes big time as it cools. Your reading of 69 tells you nothing if you do not know the temperature.

[maple flats]

A second point, has the hydrometer ever been tested? When using a hydrometer it must always be lowered gently into the syrup, if it ever hits the bottom of the container, the paper scale inside can slide and then be wrong.

[whity]

A second point, has the hydrometer ever been tested? When using a hydrometer it must always be lowered gently into the syrup, if it ever hits the bottom of the container, the paper scale inside can slide and then be wrong.

I agree with maple flats. Be careful not to let it hit the bottom of your test cup. Also you can get the MEP app for your phone and check different syrup temps for different brix readings. Adjust accordingly with distilled water. And recheck again.

[Clinkis]

Just because your syrup is 69 brix it shouldn't taste "off". And syrup should actually store better at a higher brix. I usually take my syrup up to 68-69 brix as I like it thicker. You get a little crystallizing but I don't mind. If it tastes "off" I think you have another problem.

[wiam]

Great points about a hydrometer guys. He used a refractometer.

[socram]

Great points about a hydrometer guys. He used a refractometer.

Indeed.

[socram]

Just because your syrup is 69 brix it shouldn't taste "off". And syrup should actually store better at a higher brix. I usually take my syrup up to 68-69 brix as I like it thicker. You get a little crystallizing but I don't mind. If it tastes "off" I think you have another problem.

Another check with my wife (better sense of taste than myself), confirms that it simply tasted sweeter than usual. Otherwise ok.