Sunday, August 16, 2009

Maple Syrup in Somerville



One New England tradition that makes Andrew weak at the knees is maple syrup making.  We discovered that the Growing Center in Somerville has a very small production of maple syrup!  They tap trees with school kids at the Tufts University campus, then bring the watery sap to the Growing Center where it is boiled to make syrup.  This is an outdoor system, rather than the traditional sugarhouse, but it gave us a great look at how the process works.  The system was made by students at the local technical high school, and the syrup was given to those who participated in the process.  A local triumph from beginning to end!  



Tapping the trees to collect sap.

A local child shows us how it's done!

Andrew, in love with the outdoor sugar shack.  Wood is loaded into the fire through the door on the right, which boils the sap on the trays above.  The syrup is done when enough water has boiled off to leave behind the tasty elixir.

The names of the high school students who made the stove.

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