Drilling for Sap 2017

     The exact history of boiling down maple sap into sugar and syrup is a little vague.  However, it is known that by the late 1700's, both the Native Americans and European settlers in North America were regularly doing this.  Perhaps the most distinct evidence comes from a famous book published in 1799 called An Account of the Remarkable Occurrences in the Life and Travels of Col. James Smith.  The book recalls Col. Smith's capture and "adoption" by a small group of natives in the region that is now Ohio, during which he describes the Native Americans boiling down sap into syrup.  Over 200 years later, Maple syrup and the products containing it is a multi-billion dollar industry.  Yet, the simple process to get it is practically unchanged to this day.  

     As it is, the Chadwicks have a few dozen sizable maple trees on their property.  Not only do they regularly tap them each year, they use the 100% pure maple syrup they make to flavor Chadwick's Maple Craft Spirits.  Today to have Lynn Chadwick give us a glimpse into the hands-on process they use to draw the maple sap from a maple tree.