If your garden is anything like ours, you are currently experiencing an overabundance of (a) cucumbers, (b) tomatoes, (c) hot peppers, (d) green beans, or (e) two or more of the above. (The plethora of zucchini goes without saying; shred them, freeze them, and stay...
Inside the sweet world of syrup, a picture of crime emerges . . . Burglary, vandalism and heists, oh my! The hidden world of maple crimes, revealed. Maple Police Blotter Fraud – Vermont, July 3, 2020: Police have charged Richard Blackmer, 38, with dozens of charges...
Murder in the Maple Woods is a debut novel by Claire Ackroyd, a landscape designer and independent organic inspector from central Maine. Any lover of maple, mystery or Maine will enjoy this fast-paced murder mystery by debut novelist Claire Ackroyd! Where are the book...
Syrups Beyond Maple from Silver Lake Syrups. Dandelion, Rhubarb, Caramelized Spruce Tip and Elderflower. Here in Vermont, maple reigns supreme. And, truth be told, it may always be our favorite syrup. But there are a whole world of other natural syrups out there. We...
In late June, we took a family trip down to Lake Wallenpaupack, a large reservoir nestled in the Pocono Mountains. (It’s a lovely part of sugar country. Check it out!) On the way home to Vermont, all the way back through Pennsylvania and New York, you could see...
Wood-fired beer. It’s a thing! And we made a quick and easy Sapling Summer Kolsch to prove it! Sapling Summer Kolsch: a recipe created for Vermont Evaporator by 1st Republic Brewing Company. We’ve done it again. We’ve discovered another perfectly good use for...
Cheers! You can do (just about) everything on the Sapling Everything Grill! We’re always discovering new things that we can do on our Sapling Everything Grill. So far, we grill and smoke food, bake wood-fired bread and pizza, and, when we add our Sapling...
Recently, we were lucky enough to spend the day dry rub smoking on the Sapling Everything Grill with Mark Lawler, a specialty food maker, founder of Vermont’s own & Maple, and all-around good guy. Mark makes a no salt dry rub for pork and chicken for &...
Last weekend, compelled by a curious smell coming from the kitchen, I arrived there to find my teenage daughter engaged in that sincerest form of flattery: imitation. She, in fact, was in the process of turning the largest mound of dandelion petals I have ever seen...
You don’t have to be a professional maple syrup maker to enjoy sugar on snow. You don’t even have to be an amateur! Neither do you have to live in Vermont, New England or sugar country generally! All you need is a candy thermometer or maple syrup...
Last year was our second season sugaring with lines. We mapped our sugar woods for the first time, ran lines for the first time, and didn’t have to collect sap from buckets for the first time! Oh, glory. On our Mini-Sportman Evaporator, we made 20 gallons of...
How not to miss your maple-syrup-making window! You’re going to make maple syrup this year, and don’t want to miss your window. You’ve got all your tools and equipment ready. (If you don’t check out our new line of DIY maple syrup supplies!) But you don’t know when...
Why we hobby maple syrup makers are so happy and fit! Ok, that may be overstating it a bit. Hobby maple syrup makers, like regular people everywhere, come in all fitness levels. But we are willing to wager that, as folks go, we’re still a healthier-and...
Apparently, cocktails have been around forever, and, while the popularity of cocktails has waxed and waned, fancy-boozy-drinks are currently very much on the rise. All three of these things can also be said for the—timeless, enduring and currently-in-vogue—taste of...
Make Maple the Star This Holiday Season! Show off your homemade maple this holiday season with specialty food and drinks. Below is a round-up of our favorite recipes that highlight maple in our holiday celebrations. Latkes and Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce: 1/2 cup...
First developed by the native peoples of North America, maple has always been an important food source in this country. It has also been a symbol of, and vehicle for, independence and political action. British colonists protested the Sugar Act of 1764 by exclusive use...
Sugar country, under snow, getting ready to give thanks for the abundance of food first developed in the Americas. Our indigenous peoples first cultivated more than just maple! We didn’t realize until a few years ago that November was National Native American...
Last year, we smoked our Thanksgiving turkey and apple pie on our Sapling Smoker. Delish! Whether you are hosting or bringing a dish to share, consider wood smoke as a possible addition to your ingredient list this year. After having been smoked on the Sapling...
Every year, we give a portion of November’s sales to an indigenous cause in observation of National Native American Heritage Month. It is our way of honoring the origins of maple, a foodway that was first developed by indigenous Americans and which has been...
Reverse osmosis has become ubiquitous in the maple syrup industry. But how does reverse osmosis work? What is Reverse Osmosis? Reverse osmosis is a system that separates water molecules from other substances found in liquids. Reverse osmosis systems can be found in...
Reverse osmosis is something that has become ubiquitous in the maple syrup industry. But what is reverse osmosis (or “RO” for short) and should you use one in your hobby maple syrup operation? Read on to find out! What is Reverse Osmosis? Simply stated,...
The summer is a perfect time to start actively caring for your sugar woods. Here’s how! Every ecosystem requires balance, including the ecosystem that supports your maple trees. Due to human activity, balance is a bit harder to come by now than it used to be. But...
The family that sugars together, eats together! If your family is anything like ours, though, it is made up of people with different dietary restrictions and preferences. If you are juggling vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free diets as well as serving...
Forget about champagne, how about a shot of maple syrup to celebrate 2023? Here are 34 more ways to ring in the new year with maple. Brunch Ringing in the new year with mape wouldn’t be the same without brunch! Try Maple Walnut Biscuits or Paleo Scones with...
It’s maple news time! The theme of this month’s maple news roundup: change. As much as the sweet taste of maple syrup stays the same, the maple industry and the larger food industry around it changes. Several changes in maple were evident this month....
Many of us DIY types make maple syrup in the spring to give away throughout the year. We’ve recently discovered the joy of rebottling our syrup in fancy, glass containers. We’ve also figured out how to transfor our homemade syrup into maple cream, candy...
Lots of news for the maple news roundup for November, 2022, including these major takeaways: Maple is moving west! And we don’t mean West Cornwall, Vermont! (Also, what’s a “derecho?”) Maple out west, you say? You bet! Western Washington...
You’ve started making your own maple syrup, but are still a bit stymied by some of the maple lingo out there. We offer a sugar maker’s glossary for your edification! arch – (noun) a structure that holds evaporator pans above a cookfire; the term probably originated...
Pumpkin, nuts, poultry, and spice, we see you! But this year, we’re having a maple-forward harvest. Here’s how to have your maple morning, noon, and night (and eat it, too!) at this time of the year. It’s a maple-forward harvest morning with...
It’s October, and maple news abounds. In pursuit of sappiness? Check out this quick maple news roundup. New maple beverages are in the maple news. Pursuit of Sappiness by Mayflower Brewing Co. of Plymouth, Massachusetts is a Maple Brown Ale. Says the company...
Maple recipes are anticipating fall by inclusion of seasonal staples like pumpkin, pork, root vegetables, nuts, and, of course, the apple! For our own Maple Sweetened Apple Butter, pictured above, cut 20 apples into eighths and place in a stock pot with 1 cup of apple...
It’s been a while since we updated you on current goings on in the world of maple. We’ve got a whole season to catch you up on. What happened in maple this summer? Here you go! Lots and lots of industry things happened in maple this summer. One of the...
Anyone who is keen on learning about or collecting maple syrup antiques should check out Virginia Vidler’s authoritative book on the subject: Sugar-Bush Antiques. Published in 1979, the book is way out of print, and contains some out-of-date pricing information....
Maple nerd alert! The USDA has released the 2022 maple syrup crop statistics and boy are they sweet. (Sorry.) What kind of a year was 2022 for professional sugarmakers? Where does your state rank in quantity of production? Read on to find out all about the 2022 maple...
We’ve previously named fall as an ideal time to identify maples. That’s because distinctive fall foliage helps to distinguish between sugar maples and red maples, which are often confused for each other. As it happens, even more features distinguish sugar...
Spring has sprung for maple producers and backyard enthusiasts alike. Here’s the latest on all things maple and backyard news! Maple News Maple news reports from the biggest maple syrup producing states and provinces are arriving at a brisk pace and are almost...
Making maple syrup was the hard part. Here’s how to turn your homemade maple syrup into maple cream, maple candy and maple sugar! Search the internet for how to make maple cream, candy and sugar and you will get plenty of hits. But many of these recipes call...
And here we are, just winding down our DIY maple syrup making year. We’re hearing from many corners of sugar country that it was a banner one! But if you’ve finally had your fill of sugar on snow and fresh maple syrup on pancakes and waffles, here are some...
The season is over, and it’s time to pull your taps, and clean and store your DIY maple syrup equipment. Here are some tips! After you are finished making maple syrup for the year, it is time to clean and store your DIY maple syrup equipment. First, remove your taps...
In some backyards, maple syrup making season is just getting underway, while in others, it’s wrapping up and time to think about other backyard pursuits. Here’s what’s going on in maple and backyard news now! Maple News While sugaring season is at an...
Maple recipes for high sugaring season feature quick fuel for DIY maple syrup making! Here’s how to make your maple and eat it too! Breakfast! The most important meal of any day, expecially a day spent making maple syrup. Waffles are excellent fuel for a day of...
You’ve tapped your maple trees. You have been collecting and storing sap. The weekend approaches. It’s time to boil down, finish, filter and store some maple syrup! Here’s how! Making Maple Syrup is Simple Making maple syrup is a simple process that involves...
We’re shoveling snow, sleeping, eating and shoveling more snow up here in Vermont. Here’s what’s on for maple and backyard news in other parts of sugar country. Maple News The world lost a beloved leader of indigenous rights earlier this year when...
The sap is running and your buckets are filling up! Time for maple sap collection and storing your sap in preparation for your first boil. Tips and tricks on collecting and storing sap for the DIY maple syrup maker ahoy! The weather is just right – freezing nights and...
It’s that time of year again! DIY maple syrup making season has begun in many places. But it’s not as if we stop eating maple just because we’re tapping trees! Here’s how people are making their maple and eating it too in 2022. Maple in season?...
A month’s worth of maple and backyard news, all packaged up for you! Maple News It’s that time of the year! Our maple news bags runneth over. Let’s dive in! You may recall that December’s maple news was dominated by Canada’s...
It’s almost 2024 and you’re looking for a healthy, natural, outdoor hobby to get you through to spring. Aren’t we all!? You’ve decided to try your hand at making your own maple syrup this year. Resolution maple! Excellent choice. Here’s...
A maple-flavored holiday starts with the good stuff: 100% pure maple syrup! Are you ready for a maple-flavored holiday? Us too! Here are the recipes people are using to incorporate nature’s sweetest treat into their end-of-year holiday traditions this year! A...
We’re foraging evergreens for seasonal decoration and working hard to fulfill holiday orders. What’s your maple and backyard news? Maple News The biggest maple news of the moment is this: there’s a maple syrup shortage. Did you know? Facing this...
Maple Candied Pecans: Toast pecans in a cast iron pan over medium heat, stirring often, until frangrant and browning. While stirring rapidly, drizzle with maple syrup. Stir until all liquids have evaporated, take off the heat and continue stirring for one minute....
Wet maple leaves carpet the floor of the sugarwoods. Rainboot weather is afoot! What’s your maple and backyard news? Maple News It’s National Native American Heritage Month, and maple people everywhere are taking notice. An Ohio sugarmaker who turns...
An outbuilding. A retired boat or two. And maple trees just starting to turn in the distance. That’s what’s happening in this backyard! What’s your maple and backyard news? Maple News Is maple syrup more sustainable than cane sugar? Apparently! Will...
The first day of fall means it’s time to make and can Maple Tomato Jam. Combine in stock pot 5 lb. finely chopped tomatoes, 2 1/2 C maple syrup, 1/2 C lime juice, 1 tbsp sea salt, 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger, 1 tbsp red chili flakes, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp...
The colors are slow to turn this year, but, soon, we’ll have a rainbow on the grass and in the trees! Maple News Fall approaches. And with it, at least this year, mapley happenings all across sugar country. Maple syrup workshops coming up in Kentucky, maple...
Dill n’ Maple Fridge Pickles: Wash and slice cukes. Put the cucumbers, a dill flower, a peeled garlic clove and 2 tablespoons of maple sugar (or syrup) in a pint jar. Fill with white vinegar and refrigerate until snack time! This is not a drill. End-of-summer is...
A backyard is the greatest escape! Maple News August is traditionally a slow-news month for maple, and 2021 does not dissapoint. (Or rather, it does . . .) Quebec producers have announced that they are adding 7 million new taps next year instead of 3 million. And the...
This antique evaporator door was made by a Vermont Evaporator Company that operated a century ago. A customer of this Vermont Evaporator Company found it in his sugar woods last spring! Have you encuntered the remains of a long-lost sugar camp or evaporator in your...
The Spicy Maple Shrub: Simmer 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup of seasonal fruit, 1/3 cup of maple syrup, one cinnamon stick and 1/4 teaspoon of red chili flakes for 10 minutes. Strain, cool and serve over ice, or with selzer. Pairing maple syrup with fresh seasonal...
Maple News It’s the waning days of COVID (she types, hopefully) and the supply chain is a fright. Will there be a maple syrup shortage? Yikes! These people say “yes.” Quebec is certainly thinking ahead: the province plans to add 3 million more taps...
House Maple BBQ Sauce: Mix two parts maple syrup, two parts ketchup and one part apple cider vinegar. Add Worcestershire sauce and cayenne or red pepper flakes to taste. Enjoy! Ahh, eating in the summer. It’s light. It’s fresh. And it can certainly be...
Audubon Vermont, the State of Vermont, and Vermont Maple Sugar Makers have teamed up to make Vermont’s working forests prime songbird habitat. The result: Bird-Friendly Maple! If you pay attention to the news about what folks are doing in their backyards these days...
Maple News The numbers are in from the Northeast Region Maple Syrup Report, and national maple production in the United States was off 17% in 2021, and 21% off in Vermont, our top maple producing state (New York, Maine, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire ranked second...
Maple News Us: “Internet, are you hungry?” Internet: “I could eat!” Maple continues to feel the online recipe love this month. Ready to refresh your cooking? Check out these new ways to eat maple. In the morning, choose Citrus Cream Cheese...
When you think of Philadelphia, you don’t think of maple syrup. Right? Cheese steaks and scrapple, sure! (Also, Rocky and the Liberty Bell.) But not maple. There’s now a chance that might change, thanks to the creative ingenuity of folks in...
Backyard sugar house in spring. Maple News It’s May. So as far as maple news goes, it’s mostly about slathering that fresh harvest on something and eating it! Start strong and sweet with Cornflake Crusted French Toast, Apple Pie French Toast, Campfire...
Spring rain brings red maple buds to the forest floor. Maple News The seasonal wrap ups are wrapping up for the year. Vermont sugarmakers report yielding only 40% to 70% of an average crop, and the story sounds much the same in Quebec, where, despite there being...
Wild leeks, also called ramps, just coming up at the base of a maple tree. When the ramps come, the sugaring season goes. We’re calling it: 2021 is the year of the DIY maple syrup maker! From Missouri to Prince Edward Island, from Minnesota (also here and here)...
Maple News Maple news is pouring in from all over maple country. Rhode Island (state tree: Sugar Maple) has seen its season come and go, as has Connecticut (where maple syrup is hailed as the state’s first agricultural product). The season was short and sweet,...
Maple News And, we’re cookin’! Maple syrup production is officially in full swing across the United States and Canada! In some places, producers report that the season started early this year, while in other places, folks say their areas got a late start....
Maple News At long last! Sugaring season opens across the country, and it’s a snowy one! The steam is rising from sugar houses in New Hampshire, the ceremonial first tree-tapping is scheduled in Wisconsin, and people are coming together from different walks of...
Maple News It’s getting to be that time of year! Time to learn how to make maple syrup (at least virtually), visit local sugar houses, and try a maple-flavored craft beer styled after Bernie Sanders’s now-iconic mitten-pose (“S’mitten...
Last-Minute Finds that Pair Well with a Bottle of the Good Stuff We can’t tell you how many DIY maple syrup makers we talk to you in a year. Even during this odd year, it’s probably thousands! We can tell you, however, that in the average five minute conversation,...
Oy! The pressure. Good thing there’s baking. And good thing there’s maple. Here’s how to substitute maple syrup for other sweeteners. Stress-bake away! Hummingbird cake, a southern delicacy, shown here made with maple instead of honey, frosted with maple buttercream...
File under “Boring but Important” if you must, but here’s what we’re doing to keep ourselves – and you – safe! As businesses reopen around our state and yours, know that our level of commitment to doing things the safe, right and responsible way has never wavered....
This Memorial Day Weekend will find us in the garden and at the grill, as usual, but, after two months of family lockdown, we’re adding a new element to our traditional long-weekend staycation. A new firepit! A new firepit will provide a new focus for household fun...
Here are ten reasons why sugaring is one of our favorite hobbies! 1. Making maple syrup really makes our March. 2&3. Maple is good for your health! 4. Maple syrup connects us to our past and future. 5. Kids really love making maple syrup! 6. There is so much to...
Making maple syrup on the Sapling Evaporator is easy! Here’s how. Technical posts, technical posts, and more technical posts. ‘Tis the season, maple people! Today: the basics of making maple syrup on the Sapling Evaporator. (As an aside, because the Sapling comes...
Books make great gifts for maple lovers of all ages! At gift-giving time, my coworker and sister-in-law Nikki has a mantra: “something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.” I like it. It offers a limiting principle for those who...
How Vermont Evaporator is kind, responsible and thankful in business. Hi. We’re Nikki and Kate. We manufacture and sell backyard maple syrup making equipment for regular people. We help families get into their woods and make something delicious together. We feel good...
Join us in observing Native American Heritage Month this year by giving thanks for maple! Nikki Whelley, Vermont Evaporator COO, and Kate Whelley McCabe, Vermont Evaporator CEO, feeling thankful for this tall stack of pancakes covered with the maple syrup they made on...
