Maple Sugar: From Sap to Syrup: The History, Lore, and How-To Behind This Sweet Treat

by Tim Herd

Explore the fascinating history of maple sugaring in this informative guide to all things syrup. From the tap on the tree to the pancakes on your plate, Tim Herd explains every nuanced step of the sugaring process. Learn to identify different kinds of maple trees and get inspired to tap the sugar maples in your backyard. Herd also includes tempting recipes that use syrup in old-fashioned treats like maple nut bread, maple eggnog, and pecan pie. 

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Cooking, Nonfiction, History, Reference, Science

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2011

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Tim Herd's informative and much interesting Maple Sugar: From Sap to Syrup, the History, Lore and How-To Behind This Sweet Treat is indeed and actually a bit dry and scientific in places, I for one purchased this book precisely and in particular because the presented information appears well researched and is presented in a clearly delineated, concise, and factual manner (textually easily understood, lavishly and realistically accompanied by a successful combination of both photographs and meticulously detailed coloured line drawings, but also and thankfully not ever talking down to the reader, always showing a narrative that while simple and basic, is also never simplistic and does not shy away from using appropriate and necessary botanical and science based vocabulary choices and terms).

In other words, what some potential readers might in fact consider a bit of a shortcoming, namely a dry, at times mildly academic and meticulously factual textual display, with a lack of emotionality and narrative, authorial engagement, as an adult reader who this time around just wants the standard and yes, also the scientific facts and details about maple trees and maple sugar/maple syrup production (how maple syrup is made, which trees can be tapped for maple syrup/maple sugar production, the history of maple syrup production, as well as some maple syrup based recipes), Maple Sugar: From Sap to Syrup more than adequately fits the proverbial bill so to speak. A high four star rating and most definitely recommended for maple syrup fans and aficionados, and the only reason I have not awarded five stars to Maple Sugar: From Sap to Syrup is that I think there could have been and really should have been more than just four vegan maple syrup based recipes listed (true, many of the delicious and interesting sounding vegetarian lacto-ovo recipes can likely and easily be veganised, but why not also have a decent number of vegan maple syrup recipes presented alongside of the meat and egg/dairy based offerings, especially considering that maple syrup is considered an appreciated and beloved ingredient and sweetener by many vegans). And I guess I should also offer a wee bit of a caveat that especially if you have a sweet tooth, Tim Herd's Maple Sugar: From Sap to Syrup could very likely leave you with a distinct and palpable craving for maple syrup, maple candy, maple fudge.

[Jessica Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I finished this while hiding from the rain and waiting for my husband to pick me up at the train station. :) "Maple Sugar" is a fun, quick read about well...maple sugar. It tells of the history of Maple Sugar in American and Canada, from the time of Native Americans through present day. There are also chapters on what the different grades of maple syrup are and the various nutritional benefits of maple sugar (I know, right??). There was even a chapter with step by step instructions for how to tap a tree and turn the sap into maple syrup...all in the comfort of your own backyard. Oh, and let's not forget the chapter at the end full of recipes using maple syrup and sugar...I haven't tried any yet, but I hope to try one or 2 before I have to return the book to the library.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little more scientific, maybe, than the other maple sugar book I read. A different take on the Indian folklore behind syrup. Has an in-depth passage about how sap & chlorophyll feed the tree, and a nice illustration of the rings of a tree and what they are, along with other tree body parts. Many more recipes, although none so inspiring as to make me want to copy them down. It did, however, have an inspiring how-to segment on tapping your own trees, one of which should allegedly make enough for at least a pint of syrup. It requires having daily access to said tree, though, and then storing & boiling down 40 times the amount of sap as the amount of syrup you want, so I'm still going to hold off for now. But maybe someday!

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me very much of Reaktion's Edible series. It's very similar: a brief, beautifully illustrated book on a foodstuff. The Edible books, however, are entirely focused on the history of a foodstuff, while Maple Sugar has a wider scope. It does cover the history of maple sugaring, yes, but it also covers the biology of maple trees and gives tips on how to tap your own maple trees. All this in about 115 pages! My only problem with it is that it's really way too brief for everything it tries to accomplish. But it does make a pretty and interesting introduction to the subject for people who are considering home maple sugaring.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, sweet read on the natural history of maple sugar. Beautiful photographs of the maples in all seasons, as commonly found in the northeastern US and southeastern Canada. Includes photos of maple sugar harvesting and finishing, along with information on grading and commercial use. Delicious recipes, images of vintage tins and tools, and odd bits and pieces of history, like this from the 1844 Vermont Almanac: "Stick to the maple and so long as the maple forests stand, suffer not your cup to be sweetened by the blood of slaves!"

-- Ashland Mystery

[Phobean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned more about maple trees and maple syrup production than I knew there was to learn! Also, I had the pleasure of reading this natural-world loving book sitting on a pedestrian island in New York's Time's Square -a most "unnatural" place. I can now identify the samara seedpods of the (invasive?) Norway Maple and I find myself spying all of my neighborhood maple trees with suspicion, like "can I tap THAT one?" Funny, inspiring, full of history and lore, well-written, and a quick read -what more can the ubiquitously curious ask for?

[Melanie Darrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative; a definitive resource on maple sugar. Topics range from the history to the production, then a full range of recipes is added to ensure the reader has a full sense of how important maple syrup/ sugar actually can be. Loved this book. A definite go-to resource.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting, and covers a lot of ground. I wish they'd gone a bit further with the how-to section for collecting maple sap, but I still totally want to try this next year.

[Jenny Novacescu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information but strange layout to text and flow

[Son · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read. Can't wait until spring to find our maple trees to test out some home made maple syrup fun!!

[Patricia Ann Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

This book has me considering giving producing maple syrup a try. The recipes seem really delicious, can't wait to try them.

[Mikel H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really glad I picked up this book. For quite awhile now I have wanted to start cooking more with maple and honey in place of ultra processed sugar. I have also wanted to learn more about how to make maple syrup and maple sugar ever since I did an internship in upstate New York. This book covered both quite nicely in a quick, clear, and concise manner.

[Mathilde Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I 100% love maple syrup and therefore thoroughly enjoyed this short and quick read!

[Karine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Très intéressant, couvre une variété de sujets concernant l'érable et le sirop. Super si on veut en faire chez soi!

[Xiao Hongyu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book but not very detailed and the writing style was a little too juvenile and cheesy for me

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a fun and very informative and interesting book. It covered over every topic of maple from the maple trees in Canada and the USA and their sweetness and how to identify them from grading of maple syrup how to tap and make syrup, to the history and legends and the science of making syrup to recipes. Think anyone would find it an interesting read.