April 2010 - Nr. 4
Maple Magic
by Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
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Every year in early spring something magical happens in Canada. The sugar maple lets go of its divine nectar, but only for about 6 weeks, and then the conditions have to be just right. It has to be quite cool at night and the sun has to shine quite warmly during the day for the sweet sap to flow freely into the buckets that are strategically placed toward the sunny side.
Bruce’s Mill and Kortright Conservation Area in Whitchchurch-Stouffville give guided tours to thousands of people each year to teach them how the indigenous people laboriously, yet totally ingeniously yielded the sweet juice from the sugar maples. Pioneers learned from them and brought their methods to the process, which made it a lot easier to gather and preserve. Modern methods are not that very different but more efficient than ever. Now sap is collected through interconnected tubes that flow of course downhill into a vacuum tank and from there into the evaporator which thickens and condenses the sap.
This is a worthwhile outing for the whole family and something important to be learned. Our guide was retired School Principal Wayne Wynn who, with his natural enthusiasm was the best possible guide.
It might be too late for this year to see the sap flowing but the Mill is still worth a visit. The pancake house is open for business and Maple syrup is always at hand.
Visit www.maplesyrupfest.com for more information. You will also find a link to the Kortright there to investigate year round nature pleasures. SFR. |
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