Tap those trees!

[TexasLisa]

That is so awesome! Post pics so we can see!

Here in the south, sorghum syrup used to be the big thing. A mule walked in a circle to run the mill. People fed the cane stalks in, the mill squeezed the juice out. Evaporator pans were approximately 4’x8’ under a pole type shed to keep the rain out. A fire was kept burning under it and other people kept stirring and scooping the foam off. When the syrup was thick enough, it was drawn off and packed in cans with lids. I remember as a little girl eating biscuits and sorghum syrup at my grandparents in the fall and winter.

Baymule, I have seen this done in Oklahoma. Pretty fascinating. I didn't realize they did it in Texas. Cool! Love LOVE LOVE sorghum.

 

[NH Homesteader]

We did buy a used pan though, which was pricey. Had baby goats today, derailed my boiling plans but DH got a little boiled. Not as warm out as we thought!

 

[treerooted]

We've looked into getting pans. group of 4 4" ones were $100. And we'd use them on any evaporator we'd make, so figured the investment should hopefully last awhile.

 

[baymule]

Baymule, I have seen this done in Oklahoma. Pretty fascinating. I didn't realize they did it in Texas. Cool! Love LOVE LOVE sorghum.

The town of Henderson, Texas has a syrup festival in the fall and they do the whole mule driven mill, cooking pan and all. I don't know of anyone anymore that makes sorghum syrup. We bought 2 cans at the festival!

 

[TexasLisa]

The town of Henderson, Texas has a syrup festival in the fall and they do the whole mule driven mill, cooking pan and all. I don't know of anyone anymore that makes sorghum syrup. We bought 2 cans at the festival!

I will have to look that up. I miss going to festivals like that.

I buy my sorghum syrup online now. It is coming from Kentucky.

 

[NH Homesteader]

DH boiled today. Ugly evaporator works great! I had goats kid Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Still playing catch up.

Looks like more good temps coming this weekend.

 

[NH Homesteader]

We only have about 3/4 gallon so far. It's about 40:1, give or take depending on sugar content of the sap. There's a reason this stuff is so expensive!

 

[sumi]

I would love to see some pics of the process, if anyone's taking any?

 

[NH Homesteader]

15 ish? I think? Our buckets were overflowing, Oops!

 

[treerooted]

Nice! I hope to have that many someday. Wish the previous owner hadn't sold all the large maples I'd be able to set up tubing, but the only ones left are along the property line and spread out.
Ya, I think we'll have more overflowing buckets this evening. I wasn't able to go out to collect because the water containers were in worse condition then I thought. So DH is picky up a couple more but it'll be dark by the time he gets home.
Hauling back the sap is a real challenge, it's a half mile walk with a toddler in tow.