A few months ago, I made a trip to visit Crown Maple Syrup at Madava Farms in Dover Plains. I was looking for Christmas gifts to give my friends that were made locally. It was a beautiful fall day, and I went in and found quite a few things to stock up on and, oh yes, one or two gifts to actually give to other people.

All the while, I promised myself that I would return in the next week or so to be able to see more of the farm. Sadly, that did not happen.

When National Maple Syrup Day (which is Dec. 17) arrived and Michael Cobb from Crown Maple Syrup made a visit to WRRV, I was excited to share with him my experience at the farm. He kindly pointed out that I had not been there at the best time.

"Best time? When is that?" I asked.

Michael said I would need to return in the new year when the sap was coming in to see all the magic happen in person.

Fast forward to last week when I received an email from him simply saying, "Brandi, it's time!"

Above is a video that shows just a small part of the process, but what you cannot see is my absolute giddiness to be there seeing the whole process -- from how they tap the trees, to bringing the sap in, to boiling it down, to bottling and of course tasting it.

My profound thanks to the entire team at Crown Maple at Madava Farms for the unfettered access to the entire part of the process.

Michael Cobb and Tyge Rugenstein for the time the took out of their day to take us around the farm, for Chef Shawn Snyder for opening our eyes to other uses for maple syrup (no kids, it's not just for pancakes) and to the guys working in the boiling room, answering my questions and letting me get in their way.

Make it a point to visit. Crown Maple is located at Madava Farms 47 McCourt Road, Dover Plains NY 12522 and open on Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 5PM with their special weekend events having other times (check the website).


 

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