It's just plain sweeter here in Vermont! And that is especially true during maple sugaring season. Vermont's maple trees herald the sounds of a new season, drip by drip. The maples are responding to nature an
d the sap begins to flow - when it begins a wise Vermonter knows to have his buckets ready and his lines all drawn and closed.
This annual event happens late February (in far southern Vermont) or sometimes in March - the exact date varies but any sugarmaker will tell you - the warm sunny days followed by crisp cool nights will make for a longer sap run and a better maple sugaring season. The Vermont maple season can sometimes last into April.
Vermont has quite a few seasoned sugarmakers out there, after all this is America's leading maple producing state. Upwards of 350,000 gallons of maple syrup is produced here each year.
Maple Sugar Making
Many maple sugarmakers now use plastic pipelines and boil down the sap in modern stainless evaporators, but some still gather and boil the old fashioned way; with horse drawn wagons and wood fired evaporators. The sugar shack steam is a welcome sign of spring to come.
A Vermont Maple Weekend
Visiting an operating maple sugar shack is an unforgettable experience. The aroma of boiling sap and the taste of fresh maple syrup are guaranteed to bring a smile. Try old fashioned sugar on snow, or warm maple syrup over ice cream. A Vermont sugar-season tradition is a "sweet and sour" - maple syrup followed by a bite of pickle. Another is cider donuts served with maple syrup. Wow!
| Vermont Maple Sugarhouses by Region |
|
Click Vermont map on region of interest.
|
Champlain Valley Vermont Maple Producers
Burlington, Middlebury, St. Albans, the Islands of NW Vermont |
North Central Vermont Maple Producers
Montpelier, Barre, Randolph, Waterbury, Stowe, Mad River Valley |
Northeast Kingdom Vermont Maple Producers
St. Johnsbury, Newport, Barton, Lyndonville, Burke, Jay, Island Pond |
South Central Vermont Maple Producers
Rutland, White River Jct., Woodstock, Quechee, Brandon, Killington |
Southern Vermont Maple Producers
Bennington, Brattleboro, Manchester, Arlington, Newfane |
