+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Off flavors from Aluminum buckets?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Hancock, NY
    Posts
    41

    Default Off flavors from Aluminum buckets?

    I’ve been making syrup for about 10 years, 30 taps, collecting in used aluminum buckets. Last year out of nowhere my syrup had a chemical or ~maybe~ metallic off flavor, strong. I’ve been working to isolate where it came from, especially since I’ve started to get a hint of it again this year. There are many areas the off flavors might come from. But this question is about the buckets.

    Has anyone ever experienced anything like I’m describing, and traced it to aluminum buckets? I added a new batch of buckets last year so that is one (of many) possible sources.

    It should be noted that I leave the sap in the buckets for a week or more. It’s a weekend home and that’s the best I can do. And sometimes we don’t get up every weekend. I know this can cause various problems and it’s not ideal. But I’ve done it for years without problem. But maybe it’s the new batch of (used) buckets. Or who knows.

    Thoughts?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Albion PA
    Posts
    5,099

    Default

    Might be the buckets? Could be metabolism from the trees? Could be from letting it set for a week in aluminum buckets and metabolism? Or none of the above. Not a good thing when you make off flavored syrup. Have a syrup expert near you to let them taste it? Could be buddy syrup? Do you have reds or hard maples?
    Regards,
    Chris
    Casbohm Maple and Honey
    625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
    3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
    12" SIRO Filter Press.
    2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
    One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
    Too many Cub Cadets
    Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
    1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck

    www.mapleandhoney.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Hancock, NY
    Posts
    41

    Default

    Did a boil this past weekend, after 2 weeks hanging (some frozen, but some not)... and everything turned out fine! So I'm thinking it wasn't the buckets after all. Possibly a bad filter or two.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Albion PA
    Posts
    5,099

    Default

    Good you had cool weather and some ice. Warm weather and that duration may have ended with spoiled sap. Glad the flavor was ok this time.
    I wished we had a flavor meter for the industry!
    Regards,
    Chris
    Casbohm Maple and Honey
    625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
    3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
    12" SIRO Filter Press.
    2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
    One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
    Too many Cub Cadets
    Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
    1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck

    www.mapleandhoney.com

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
    Posts
    6,391

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sugarmaker View Post
    I wished we had a flavor meter for the industry!
    We do. It is called a "tongue" -- but it works way better when it has been calibrated (trained) properly.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

+ Reply to Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts