Sweet Maple: Backyard Sugarmaking from Tap to Table

by Michelle Visser, Joel Salatin (Foreword by)

Overview

Sweet Maple is an instructional book on backyard sugarmaking that’s also the story of the family’s connection to the past on a small New England sugar farm. Throughout its pages, Michelle gives advice on:
• The 30 different kinds of trees that can be used to make syrup (at least one of which grows in every state of the nation)
• Insight into how sugarmakers down south and out west— well outside of the “maple belt”—are making syrup successfully.
• The process of making syrup, to help you decide what level is right for you
• How to make alternative treats, such as lilac syrup
• The health benefits of maple products, which contain more than 40 antioxidants
• Substituting processed sugar with all-natural maple syrup in any recipe
• The three steps to making maple sugar
• How to make irresistible maple cream and how to enjoy it While learning the art of sugarmaking alongside her husband, Michelle guides readers through every step of all-natural syrup production, with directions for tapping one tree or hundreds, while detailing the life-changing benefits of using maple syrup in the kitchen. Interspersed with sugaring techniques, tips, sidebars, and storytelling, Michelle shares more than 30 of her family’s tried-and-true maple recipes—from scones to salads.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493037773
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	09/17/2019
Pages:	232
Sales rank:	666,963
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Michelle Visser is a homesteader in rural New England. She’s a fourth-generation gardener, a professional photographer, and the owner of SoulyRested.com. Michelle is a popular presenter at homesteading summits, a freelance editor, and is the author of sought-after eBooks and instructional courses about probiotic DIY kombucha and delicious maple sugar and syrup. She lives in New Hampshire’s lakes region. Website: https://soulyrested.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulyrested/ Facebook Groups author runs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/136771923048656/ (Maple Syrup Making) and https://www.facebook.com/groups/2057995487773738/ (Homestead and Heritage Cooking) Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soulyrested/boards/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/souly.rested/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOLRbLo4lnwJ2nPiL2xtB8g?view_as=subscriber

Table of Contents

Foreword Joel Salatin viii

Acknowledgments xii

Introduction: Define the Simple Joys 1

1 Got Syrup? 11

Backyard sugaring is a logical first step toward more sustainable living

Recipes: Maple Sandwich Bread, Maple Biscuits, Maple Freezer Biscuits, Maple-infused Butter

2 Tap Well 37

Go ahead … tap a tree and see what it gets you

Recipes: Overnight Maple Oatmeal, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Skillet Cake, The Best-Ever Maple Scones, Giant Candy Cookie

3 Boil Well 79

Make amber, ambrosial syrup, one sweet step at a time

Recipes: Maple Chocolate Chip Cookies, Gina's Maple Snickerdoodles, Old-fashioned Butter Cookies, Maple Caramel Cookies

4 Bow Out 111

How a sugarmaker faces the bittersweet arrival of spring

Recipes: Maple Blueberry Pie, Lilac Maple Sugar Cookies, Jill's Maple BBQ Sauce

5 Try Something Different 129

Tap into sugar maple alternatives in every single state

Recipes: Lilac Syrup, Nice-n-Slow Maple Chicken and Rice, Maple Pork Stir-Fry, Sloppy Maple Sandwiches, Maple Pulled Pork Sandwiches

6 Relish the Real 165

In today's over-sugared culture, we need a better option

Recipes: Maple Switchel, Maple Hot Chocolate, Maple Lemonade

7 Shake or Slather It On 185

Warning: reading this chapter will result in a new obsession

Recipes: Maple Peanut Butter, Maple Popcorn, Drizzled Maple Popcorn, Maple Cinnamon Rolls

Afterword 210

Resources 214

Index 215

About the Author 218

Editorial Reviews

No need to take years learning the hard lessons of making your own maple syrup. Michelle takes you along with her family making you feel like you are right there learning the ins and outs of making maple syrup that took her years to learn. —Al Lumnah, creator of Lumnah Acres youtube channel

“Michelle and her family’s passion and perseverance can inspire not only the suburbanite who might like to tap a sizable maple tree in the backyard, but also the more serious maple syrup makers in well-treed rural areas. Her informational and enthusiastic writing will encourage many readers to experience making maple syrup for themselves. Also, the artistic photographs lend much appeal to the reading of Sweet Maple. –David Tatnall, extension horticulturist, University of Delaware

“In Sweet Maple, Michelle infuses beauty and practicality into the annual event that kicks off the spring season of hope and promise—making maple syrup! Despite the labor sugaring season may bring, the payoff in deliciously sweet, rich, golden syrup is totally worth every bit of it.. .. Be forewarned: the collection of recipes is dangerous! But what had me most intrigued is the maple sugar and maple cream. I can’t wait to try them all!” –Quinn Veon, author of Cake Stand and Farmstead Pie

From the Publisher

Who knew maple syrup was healthy? Michelle Visser opens up a whole new world of sweet secrets in her gorgeous book Sweet Maple. Be forewarned: Michelle will have you tapping one of 23 different kinds of trees, making delicious syrup as a family, and making your own natural maple sugar before you know it. Carve out time to read this delightfully intriguing book because you won't be able to put it down. Sweet Maple is a must-have!

Stacy Lyn Harris

Michelle masterfully walks the reader through not only the romance of sugaring, but also the practical steps of each part of the process. And thankfully, the mouth-watering maple-infused recipes can be made by anyone.

Jill Winger