HADLEY — It all began with a dribble…
…the first drops of maple tree sap dripped out of North Hadley Sugar Shack taps on Feb. 21, the harbingers of a spring tradition from which rises sweetness in the air and even more sweetness to taste buds.
Joseph J. Boisvert, owner of North Hadley Sugar Shack, said his crew had been working in the woods since early February, “getting things ready” like replacing taps and repairing tubing that might have been gnawed by squirrels or bears.
The late February sap run began as nights were below freezing and days warmed rapidly. Boisvert hoped to have enough sap for the first boil on the weekend of Feb. 27. “The first couple of runs are never overly strong, but then (the trees) start producing (more),” he said.
Maple Weekend in Massachusetts is March 20-21, and many sugarhouses throughout the state will be open for customers to visit. All will have pure Massachusetts maple products for sale. Some will have samples, and some will offer tours of their sugarhouses and their sugarbushes. If the weather is right and sap has been running, visitors will be able to see maple syrup being made.
But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, sugar makers who are welcoming visitors require that they wear masks and practice social distancing. Some may limit access to parts of their operations where space is tight and safety would be hard to manage given public health restrictions.
Because of the pandemic, masks and social distancing will be required when visiting the North Hadley Sugar Shack tap room “to smell the wonderful smell of sap boiled into syrup,” Bosivert said.
No school or bus groups will be welcomed as they have been in the past; “we just have to be safe,” he said.
But the grounds will be open for visitors to enjoy “a little bit of self guidedness” to see some sap being collected.
According to Winton Pitcoff, coordinator of the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association,
the first taps of 2021 were put in at some at some operations in late January, but he could not predict the success of this year’s production. “Weather conditions have been excellent, but we never know until the season is over,” he said.
But last year general feedback from producers was that it was “an excellent season, both in terms of quantity and flavor,” he said.
Last year North Hadley Sugar Shack produced about 2,200 gallons of finished maple syrup.
This year Boisvert planned to tap more than 4,000 trees throughout “a couple hundred acres.”
This is the operation’s 26th season offering traditional New England pancake breakfasts — either on site following pandemic protocols or for pick up.
Bosivert emphasized the importance of supporting local sugar houses — and all local businesses — saying local maple producers have many ways to satisfy maple cravings like syrup, candy, cream and doughnuts.
“People are constantly finding new ways to use maple syrup. It’s great anywhere white sugar is used, but it tastes better, is healthier and supports local farms,” Pitcoff said. “It’s as great in coffee or tea and in dressings and marinades as it is on pancakes!”
Check out recipes at massmaple.org/category/recipes and massmaple.org/about-maple-syrup/cooking-with-maple.
Founded in 1947, the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of maple sugaring in Massachusetts. It supports ongoing research into the many factors affecting member farms including production practices, quality control, environmental concerns, land development pressures and long-term tree health.
For more information, go to massmaple.org.
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