Author: Isselhardt, Mark

Showing 51 – 60 of 69 resources

When to Stop: Some Factors Affecting The Economics of Processing Grade Syrup

Near the end of each sugaring season, producers must make a decision when to stop making maple syrup. Sometimes the decision is an easy call, such as when the onset of bud break and cessation of sap flow coincide. The decision to stop production can also be the result of careful economic analysis of the cost of production versus value of the product. The variable costs (fuel, labor, filters, etc.) of any maple operation are a key component to this sort of analysis.

Publication:
Maple Syrup Digest
Date:
June 1, 2015

Off-flavors in maple syrup: metabolism

One of the many off-flavors that can be found in maple syrup is metabolism, often compared to the taste of wet cardboard or ‘woody.’ This article explains metabolism and how to identify it.

Publication:
Maple News
Date:
April 1, 2015

Maple water: A first look

As the maple water industry has grown, this study conducted a taste test of various brands of commonly available maple waters.

Publication:
Maple News
Date:
March 1, 2015

Birch can help increase your maple operation profits

Birch syrup production uses the same equipment as maple syrup production, and the spring sapflow season begins just as the maple season is ending. Sugarmakers might want to consider adding birch production to their operations to generate additional revenue.

Publication:
Maple News
Date:
March 1, 2015

Chemical composition of five standard grades of pure maple syrup

The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of the five maple syrup grades, including their pH, conductivity, mineral and carbohydrate contents. In general, quantification of the range of chemical composition for each standard maple syrup grade will strengthen the existing knowledge of maple syrup chemistry.

Publication:
Maple Syrup Digest
Date:
February 1, 2015

Measuring Sap Flow

Keeping track of the amount of sap being collected is important for maintaining high yields and minimizing losses. This article explains how to measure sap using counters mounted on releasers.

Publication:
Maple News
Date:
January 1, 2015

Does sugar removal impact trees? A complex question to answer.

Two main issues relate to the sustainability of maple sugaring; tree wounding and sugar removal. In other words, does a tapped maple tree grow more wood than is compartmentalized (functionally “removed by the tree’s normal wound response process) each year and/or does sap collection take more sugar from the tree than can be readily replaced through photosynthesis? These two issues, although separate in some respects, are inextricably intertwined.

Publication:
Maple Syrup Digest
Date:
October 1, 2014

Cloudiness’ effect on refractometer measurements

Accurately measuring density is critical to the production of pure maple syrup. This article explores how impurities in syrup can affect the accuracy of tools used to measure density.

Publication:
Maple News
Date:
August 1, 2014