How to make syrup darker??

[wmick]

I didn't want to confuse the issue by hijacking the thread about making lighter syrup...

I have, what I think is, a weird problem.... I want to make syrup darker and don't know how...

Been hobby sugaring for a few years now, and have always been a little disappointed in the colour of my syrup.... Always on the dark side.... Wasn't too worried about it, knowing I'd not be winning any ribbons at the fair... and people don't complain about the colour of free syrup....

This year, I am actually trying to fill some orders, and to my surprise, people want the dark stuff....

Here's my problem... I've been collecting and boiling to the bitter end this season, and have not been able to get any darker than Amber....
Have not cleaned my pans since I started... Running 10% concentrate. on a 2x6 drop flue, at 20-25 GPH to 67%
Have one boil left and would really like it to be dark.
I think I read somewhere, that a slower boil will produce darker syrup. Is this true?... Or, any other suggestions.???

Thanks
Wayne

[Walling's Maple Syrup]

Boil deep. That will change the grade big time.

[bigschuss]

Was going to say the same thing...just boil longer. Batch boiling normally produces darker syrup because of the longer time on the fire. So, instead of drawing off...just run it deeper and essentially just do a batch boil.

[ecolbeck]

There was a great article in the March edition of the Maple News were flavor was discussed at length. In addition to pan depth, one of the variables under discussion was microbes in sap. It was suggested that sap needs to be treated much the same way that yogurt/beer/cheese need to be treated. Microorganisms in sap need to be cultivated to maximize syrup flavor. Too little microbial action is a contributor to low flavor. Too much microbial action leads to ropey syrup. Letting your sap age a little bit may help give you the flavor you desire.

[wmick]

Thanks folks...

Funny - Work hard to not let sap sit around or get warm..... Turns out I might need to ease off on this....
And I finally got my evaporator fine tuned to shallow boil and run at pretty good rates that I'm pretty happy with...... Might need to slow things down a bit...
Thanks for the help.

[RileySugarbush]

Take your draw of syrup and pour it back in the float box. Sam effect as boiling deeper with twice the residence time.

[maple flats]

Some things will help make darker syrup (and yes, I always sell more dark than any other grade) 1. Hold your sap an extra day, unless it will get over 45 degrees F. 2. Boil at 2 or even 2.5" deep. 3. Blend in some darker from other batches, even last year's syrup. That's what I do often, I don't make enough dark to meet demands, so I take a lighter grade (yes, sometimes even Golden) fill my finisher or bottler then very slowly add some dark. You will find it takes very little dark especially if at the darker end of the grade to turn the blend to dark at the middle of the grade. That is where I have the best success.
I now use a Hanna Checker and record the light transmission percent on every container (In code, not stating what it is). I then start adding some dark syrup (or even very dark if you have it) I'll explain my code at the end. I stir the blend and check the light transmission. I then add more if needed.
In terms of light transmission I try to get my dark to 35-40%. There was an article in The Maple News giving the math, I was doing it my way for years, so I didn't get that precise trying to use the math. I sometimes need to add almost a qt to change golden to dark, other time a little less or more. Just go slowly. It works well, and as long as the taste of what you were mixing was of good flavor for the grade, the dark will taste like it should.

My code, for those who may be interested. On my price labels (I use a price gun to mark everything) syrup starts with a 1, then 2 digits for % light transmission. Thus, for examples, a 135 is dark, a 159 is amber , a 180 is golden and a 120 would be very dark.

[Sugarmaker]

If you have time you can also boil slower along with boiling deeper. This will get get you the color. Aging sap may get you the flavor.
The other thing to do is to educate your customer base to like all the grades too. I have a lot of folks asking about our Golden Delicate (FIRE&ICE) syrup made last year. Had to get them to taste it, take some home, and they want it! Humm didnt make much this year.
I try to keep my process the same and let mother nature make the choice on the syrup outcome.
Good luck with your dark syrup!
Regards,
Chris