Sorry, foodies :-( - DPChallenge Forums

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

03/22/2014 05:55:27 PM · #1

Hey all

Some of you know that I tap my handful of maples and make maple syrup. And when I have enough of a batch to share, then I get to trade some for regional food goodies from other site foodies.

However...due to the rather insane winter we've had this year, the sap run has been all but nonexistent. I've collected all of 3 gallons of sap this year, which isn't even enough to make 250ml of syrup. Usually by now I am on my 3rd or 4th batch.

So unless there is a tremendous sap tsunami on the way, I'm afraid I won't have enough syrup to share this year...*sigh*

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

03/22/2014 06:25:32 PM · #2

I was wondering how the sap run would be affected. Given the amount of way-below-normal temperatures the mid-continent has received and is still receiving, I'm wondering if the run is just long-delayed. It seems like it has to run *sometime*, LOL!

Ja-9

Nikon D750

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

03/22/2014 06:26:49 PM · #3

You Share????!!!! Wow...what do I have to share???

frisca

Nikon D70

03/22/2014 07:01:32 PM · #4

sad news indeed, Susan. I am still enjoying the red queen you shared with me!

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/22/2014 07:22:03 PM · #5

Originally posted by kirbic:

I do know that on mapletrader, Indiana, Kentucky and other midwest States are reporting good runs. But in the east, we're still stuck in a so-called polar vortex, meaning that winter is basically spinning in place around us. We got 15 cm snow today, and though it's mild it still hasn't gone above zero, which it needs to do in order for the sap to run.

I read of one Eastern Ontario family farm on mapletrader that has around 5000 taps and supplies grocery stores etc, worried that they won't be able to meet demand.

So sadly, don't be surprised if prices on real maple syrup rocket this year. Nothing we can do about it. :-(

@

frisca...wow, you still have some of the mighty Red Queen left? Good on you girl!! I still have a tiny bit left, stashed away in a bank vault located under Lake Geneva ;-)

@

Ja-9...usually I trade syrup for whatever regional food goodies you have, that I can't get here, or really awesome homemade nums.

Bear_Music has sent me highbush cranberry jellies;

Kelli sent homemade baked nummies;

Melethia sent chocolates from See's;

Spork99 sent a whole whack of home preserves. You get the idea. So if regional delicacies in your area are, say, pickled rattlesnake tongues, we may have a deal...under ideal circumstances anyway.

Message edited by author 2014-03-22 19:26:44.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

03/22/2014 08:43:37 PM · #6

If you do get some later, I have a friend who will supply for trade some pomegranate-jalepeÃ±o jelly (not too hot, sometimes with ginger), if that's of interest ...

Google Glass Google Glass

03/22/2014 08:56:52 PM · #7

Originally posted by GeneralE:

If you do get some later, I have a friend who will supply for trade some pomegranate-jalepeÃ±o jelly (not too hot, sometimes with ginger), if that's of interest ...

Oh yumyumyum....that's the kinda thing I'm talking about!! Have to see what shakes out, or at least drips out, first though. I have to pull my spiles come late April though.

ambaker

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

03/22/2014 10:57:40 PM · #8

Even without the Maple Syrup, we can hook you up with some fresh peach jam this summer.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

03/23/2014 09:29:53 AM · #9

Originally posted by snaffles:

So sadly, don't be surprised if prices on real maple syrup rocket this year. Nothing we can do about it. :-(

Considering that the majority of the "maple heist" that occured in Quebec last year has been recuperated, I was thinking that at least there they might have a surplus and that this factor might just keep the prices level.

Then again... maybe not.

I'm still OK... I have 4 cans left over from last year.

Ray

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

03/23/2014 11:05:40 AM · #10

Drat.

I haven't kept track of the sap run here, but I haven't heard any complaints aside from it's been a bit later, as expected. I hope that's the case for your neck of the woods as well. I have a jar of Black Raspberry jam set aside for trade. It's about as local as you can get, the berries grew in my backyard, about 6meters from my kitchen door.

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

03/24/2014 08:19:30 AM · #11

Awwww, so nice of you and ambaker to offer to send me stuff even though I probably won't have any syrup to send in return! Thank you! :-)

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

03/24/2014 08:29:18 AM · #12

Awwww.. phooey!!! I was going to do the trade this year. :(

03/24/2014 12:59:51 PM · #13

Originally posted by vawendy:

Awwww.. phooey!!! I was going to do the trade this year. :(

There is still 5 weeks left this season, I still might get enough for trades. All depends on the weather.

Enlightened

03/24/2014 08:28:34 PM · #14

I will know if I can get you some sap later this week! I'll keep ya posted but I will have to bring some scones over and try all of the jam you'll be trading for!

03/25/2014 09:35:08 AM · #15

Thanks Trace! And if you do get me sap, you'll need some leakproof containers. Last year used 4 restaurant-grade food buckets of 4g each to transport donated sap from Jasper to home.

And the forecast sounds very promising for Friday-Monday, so cross fingers everyone...

Message edited by author 2014-03-25 09:36:03.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/28/2014 08:28:04 AM · #16

Well finally some ~~good~~ err, too soon to use that word...*promising* news...first of all the weather is grudingly starting to cooperate, should be good for the next few days at least. Might get a so-called sap tsunami.

The nice man on mapletrader who let me have 16g of his sap last year, which became batch #7 and was almost identical to my Red Queen, has reported that he is already getting red syrup, which is pretty unusual this early in the season! Traditionally I get light syrup which progressively darkens, but who knows! As he also has a small outfit of only 50 taps, I'm going out tomorrow to visit. Will take along a few drops of Red Queen for comparison...hope the Fedex from Switzerland gets here soon.

Trace, I have a whole bunch of clean food-grade buckets set aside and ready for a sap pickup from UCV, should all go according to plan. I'll come and get it, it's a nice drive and I don't want to add to the workload you already have!

blindjustice

Canon EOS-7D

03/28/2014 08:30:55 AM · #17

I'd be in, even if just to send things out to people. I'm in for homemade foods as well as sending area products.

Enlightened

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

03/28/2014 09:03:10 AM · #18

Sorry Susan there is not going ot be any tapping here at all this season...:( If I hear of anyone that is tapping their trees I wll keep you posted. Lets hope you have that tsunami!

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

03/28/2014 09:38:58 AM · #19

Originally posted by snaffles:

oooh! I like the idea of a sap tsunami! :)

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

03/28/2014 02:58:20 PM · #20

Originally posted by vawendy:

oooh! I like the idea of a sap tsunami! :)

We must be having one of those at the office... there are a whole bunch of "saps" running around... sure sign of spring eh? :O)

Ray

03/28/2014 07:40:42 PM · #21

Originally posted by Enlightened:

Sorry Susan there is not going ot be any tapping here at all this season...:( If I hear of anyone that is tapping their trees I wll keep you posted. Lets hope you have that tsunami!

Aw damn, that's too bad Trace. But can't say I blame them. The weather today was just gross, heavy murk all day and though +4, it might well have been -4 with that nasty damp chill in the air. I didn't get a single drop today. But again the forecast for most of the upcoming week could work, IF we get some sun...*sigh*

04/02/2014 08:28:40 AM · #22

Getting some sap now, had a nice run yesterday, but still a long way from getting enough syrup to go around. Stay tuned.