When the first European settlers arrived in eastern North America, the indigenous people introduced them to food products that had never been seen in the rest of the world. These included tomatoes, corn and maple syrup. In Western North America, they were introduced to new species of salmon, shellfish, cacti, buffalo and other food staples. Since that time, these products have become widely grown in other parts of the world, and some have become expensive delicacies.

In the western side of the continent, it has only recently become known that the western "bigleaf" maple trees can be tapped for their sap that can be boiled down to make maple syrup. This article will focus on western maple tapping, but other abundant species such as Alder and Birch can be used aswell, although they contain about 1/3 the sugar content as mapple, so more sap would be required to make syrup.

When to tap

From the time the leaves fall off the tree (November) until the first buds appear (early March). The sweetest sap will be flowing during the months of January and February.

About the sap

The sap ("maple water") of the Western Bigleaf Maple has an average sugar content of 2%, as opposed to the easter sugar maple, which contains about 3%, so you will need to boil down the maple water more than you would in the east. The sap contains Zinc, and Iron, as well as lower concentrations of potassium, mangnesium, and calcium (and other trace minerals and vitamines). These minerals help keep your body utilize several key nutrients such as biotin, thiamin, ascorbic acid, and choline, keep bones strong and healthy, Maintain normal blood sugar levels, maintain the health of your nerves, protect cells from free-radical damage, and more.

What trees to use

Ideally, the diameter of the tree should be 4-18 inches. Smoother, young trees often produce more sap then the old ones. But you will still ocasionaly run into a tree that produces very little, or a high-yeald tree that begins running imediatly.

How to Tap

Holes should be drilled 2 – 2 ½ inches into the tree, at a slight upward angle (so sap flows down into your spile). You can use a regular drill to do this. Most spiles are designed to fit into a 7/16 inch hole. Use a hammer to drive the spile firmly into the hole, and make sure there is no room for sap to leak out the sides. You can then attach a bottle (4 litre milk jugs work well) to the spile, or connect the two using a plastic tube. The maple water that you collect should be boiled down every few days, or it may become sour.

Sap to syrup

You may not want to turn all of your maple water into syrup, as there are many other uses for it. You can use the sap in place of regular water to make tea, coffee, rice, etc. To make syrup, fill a large sauce pan with maple water and bring to a boil. As the water is evaporating, slowly add more (trying not to disturb the boil) until it boils down to a desired consistency. If foam begins to gather on the top of the pot, simply skim it off. It is recommended that you stop boiling when the sap reaches 50% water, 50% sugar, but judge by your own taste.

Once finished, syrup can be frozen if desired, or simply refrigerated.

To purchase maple syrup, visit: saptosyrup.com