Maple syrup has been a long standing history in Geauga County. Freezing night and thawing during the day allows the sweet sap to begin to flow. Small holes are drilled into the trunks to drain a small portion of the sap. When the sap comes out of the tree, it looks like water. Sap has around 2% sugar content, so it already tastes a little sweet. The sap is put in large pans over wood, oil, or gas burners called evaporators and the excess water is boiled away turning sap into rich, thick golden syrup. It takes 43-50 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. Because of ideal soil and climate conditions the syrup made from maples in Geauga County is considered to be the very best and has become famous around the world.
Fun Facts of Maple syrup:
Sap is 2-3% sugar, maple syrup is 66.5% sugar.
Unopened syrup keeps well for years.
Store unopened syrup in a cool place or freeze. Once opened it should be refrigerated.
Syrup can be rewarmed to serve.
Maple sugar candy should be tightly sealed.
Maple cream should be refrigerated.
If mold forms, don’t throw out, simply bring to a boil, skim off the top, sterilize container and refill.
Maple syrup weighs 11 pounds per gallon.
Maple syrup is more than just something to put on pancakes and waffles. Use it in cooking, or in a BBQ sauce, or in baking, or on ice cream or in milkshakes, or mixed in drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), or as a glaze on ham, fruits and vegetables, or well, you get the idea.
Maple syrup comes in multiple grades:
Grade A Light Amber – first syrup of the season, light straw color, mildest taste.
Grade A Medium Amber – made early to midseason, light brown color, mild maple taste.
Grade A Dark Amber – Made later in the season, dark brown color, bold maple taste.
Grade B – Last syrup of the season, very dark color, strong taste with caramel overtones.
As far as this cache is concerned, it is on private property with the owner’s permission. Please daylight caching only and use sleuth as there is a good chance of muggles. Stay away from the flowers and the porch, it’s not there. The cachetainer is a camoed decon container and should be an easy find. Please reseal the container properly to keep the contents dry. You should hear four “pops”. See link to see video.