Maple syrup is liquid gold from what I've been told. This and this you might find interesting.
I can see why you'd think it's concocted, most of what pretends to be it in the grocery is concocted and not real. It's rendered (thinks of animal fat, lol) down a lot. Growing up, it was a regular ritual to go to a sugar shack, watch it all, make maple syrup taffy on snow and buy way too many maple syrup goodies.
For more fun, there's also birch syrup. It's flavour is very different, a bit like blackstrap molasses with other notes.
Have you seen a bullfrog eat?
😂 I have not but I just went and watched this one. I have a new fascination and I think I want a bullfrog now.
I had no idea it was such an organised thing. I had seen a video on here of someone collecting the old fashioned way, I think it was in New York State or something and they collected it and rendered it down which is why I knew it was real and not made up but that is a brutal situation in Canada. To not be able to sell to who you please and not necessarily get paid whilst they sit on your syrup. Yeek.
I got an access denied on the birch syrup but found it on another page, if I ever see it I will try it!
I think I want one of them bullfrogs too. They just eat everything and look as cool as feck!
I only learned that about maple syrup somewhere in the last ten years. It's a very strange thing. Canada, the image does not match reality. You can collect on your own like you saw in the video. There are those who do that in rural areas. It's easy enough to tap the trees, but the quantity required and timing it with the sap running are key.
How strange you were denied that page. It's a gourmet food thing. I guess you're supposed to focus on eating porridge maybe, lol. Birch syrup is more expensive than maple syrup by far. Small bottles. Never seen large and it's not common here.
Both saps can be drank as is, very high in nutrients and a source of hydration if you're wandering the woods like a viking without water.
I think I'm hooked on those bullfrog videos now. It's literally fascinating to watch. I looked to see how big these things get. I saw ones the size of a small child. Then I looked to see if a bullfrog has ever attempted eating a human but found nothing, lol, thankfully.
I am so glad you are also hooked on the bullfrog videos. I am too. I have been watching these ones with a frog called Poco in them and they play some ridiculous music whilst Poco eats everything. I was going to share one in my original comment but didn't as some people get really squeamish!
One day a human will be eaten by a bullfrog, surely it has to be so :OD
I love all of these kind of sap thing. I knew deep down that a giant production would have to be more than a few hardy souls tapping spigots into trees but it was a nice notion to have!
I really need to see that link with Poco. Not much phases me, so bring it on! I've always had a thing for frogs. I cite Kermit influence.
😂That brings so many visuals to mind and, well, some weird art.
The big production for maple syrup, they run lines from tree to tree, instead of the old timey bucket method (still used by some). There are grades of maple syrup as well. Gets so fancy pantsy.
Lol, I realised I said Poco, its Paco!!
https://www.youtube.com/c/frogtime
Enjoy!
I think it should go back to tin buckets. Damn civilisation and modern production methods! Well, at least until I want some cheap syrup on my pancakes ;O)
LOL, I watched the Paco vid on the main page where he(?) is eating the spider leg by leg. I didn't know spiders could be so agile on three legs. Love Paco's dexterity with those feet, shoving it all in. Thanks, this is going to be fun watching, great quality video.
I agree, tin buckets. Doing things by hand, if one is experienced, imparts something that no machine can do, some indefinable quality. There's always raw honey, if you can't get your hands on the good syrup (blame Canada), lol. It's not the same though.
Oh the leg one, it is almost mean how he just tugs em off!
We have good honey here. I pay the extra cash for the Scottish heather honey, it is bloody awesome because you can smell and taste the heather in it