by Alex Johnson, Maple Valley Cooperative
Pure, organic, maple syrup. Maple Valley Cooperative, a pioneer in organic and fair practices for maple production, was founded in 1991, became a cooperative in 2007, and continues to produce 100% pure and organically produced maple products year after year.
But, what is pure maple syrup? Where does it come from, and how is it made?
Maple syrup production is a unique and interesting process that occurs in early spring. It is, at its simplest form, the extraction and rendering of sap from trees. The end product is delicious, sustainable maple syrup.
The Sugarbush
Maple syrup begins with a stand of maple trees called a sugarbush. There are certain rules that dictate what type of forest qualifies as a sugarbush. These rules are even more strict when seeking organic certification, as our farmers do. Forest areas used for sap collection must contain at least 20% non-maple tree species. This allows for biodiversity within the forest. The use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, & pesticides is never allowed in an organic sugarbush. The farmer is also required to have a plan in place regarding the upkeep and regeneration of the forest and its wildlife.
With organic syrup, there are also specific rules regarding which trees can be tapped for syrup. Trees may not be tapped if they are under 9″ in diameter at chest height. The number of spouts that can be placed in each tree is also determined by the tree’s diameter and, in an organic forest, there can never be more than three taps per tree. Taps must also be distributed evenly on the trunk.
Tapping Trees
Once the sugarbush has been established, the farmer can begin to tap the trees. Tapping usually begins in February as the weather begins to warm. A tap hole is drilled out and a spout is gently put in place. The spout will either feed into a bucket or a tube, depending on the method that is being used.
In March or April, as spring temperatures increase, the sap begins to flow. This sap is clear and watery with only about two percent sugar. As the sap is collected, it is gathered in a central storage tank. This step of the process usually lasts around a month and a half. Afterwards, taps are removed from trees and the sugarbush is left to grow and gather nutrients for the next year.
Rendering Sap
Once the sap has been collected, it is processed in the sugarhouse. At this point in the process, some farmers will use reverse osmosis to remove a portion of the water from the sap before boiling. This helps to reduce the amount of boiling required to render large quantities of sap.
Next, the syrup is boiled in an evaporator. The tank is heated and water begins to evaporate from the sap. The remaining liquid turns a golden color and thickens. As the temperature reaches 219 degrees, the sugarmaker will test its consistency & sugar content. When ready, it is filtered and cooled.
Preparing for Bottling
Once it is rendered and filtered, the syrup flavor and color is graded. Amber syrup is normally made early in the season and is lighter in color. It has a smooth buttery flavor and is popular for baking and as a topping. Dark syrup is usually made later in the season and has a darker hue. It has a stronger classic rich maple flavor, and is often used in coffee and with the Master Cleanse. Both contain vitamins & minerals from the sap, making it a superior sweetener that has been identified as a superfood.
The sugarmaker transfers the maple syrup into large drums which are then sold to Maple Valley headquarters in Cashton, WI. Once it has arrived at our location, it is evaluated again for color and quality to ensure it meets Maple Valley’s standards.
Shipping out Syrup
When the time comes to bottle the syrup, drums are brought to our bottling room and emptied into a stainless steel tank.
Here it is warmed up and run through a filter before being sent to our bottling machine. Each bottle is filled and capped by our bottler who also puts labels on the bottles and puts them into cases.
Once the maple syrup has been bottled, labeled, and boxed, it is ready to be sent to the customer. Maple Valley syrup is shipped to distributors & wholesale customers (like Hummingbird Wholesale) who use our syrup as ingredients or sell it in their stores.
Each step of the way, our maple syrup is handled with care by our farmers and employees to ensure you get the best quality pure, organic maple syrup on your table. Whether you enjoy it on your ice cream, or add it to your barbecue, you can be sure that Maple Valley’s syrup is farmed in a fair, sustainable fashion with care for the environment, the farmer, and you.
Want to learn more? Check our Maple Valley's website at www.maplevalleysyrup.coop for articles, recipes, and more!