The Official U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac 2014 2nd Edition | Page 11

N.Y. for the past four years as part of his
research.
Farrell says the sugarmaking process for
butternut is exactly the same maple.
The sap flows generally at the same
sugar content and at the same time of
year. Farrell says in his book, The Sugarmaker’s Companion that “the syrup
is quite delicious—many people have
described to me as having nutty or almost
fruity overtones.”
Daniel’ butternut syrup lacks the
intense sweetness and bite of most darker
grades of maple, but makes up for it with
a mellow, warm flavor, and a slightly
thicker consistency.
For those who love a delicate flavor of
maple on pancakes or may find maple
too sweet, butternut syrup may be a good
alternative.
A few challenges face the sugarmaker.
Expect the first butternut sap run to be
gritty, Daniel says.
He struggled with gravity filtering the
syrup, a problem he plans to remedy next
season by buying a press.
Farrell says the problem of filtering is
due to a higher than normal pectin count
of butternut sap. The sap also occasionally produces a jelly-like substance, so
filtering both sap and syrup is recommended.
“The flavor of it changes based on how
you make it,” Farrell said. “There’s not
always a lot of consistency in that.”
Another challenge lies in finding
enough butternut trees to make the venture profitable. Disease has left many
groves of butternut trees decimated.
Some have seen an 80 percent decline.
“The tree is pretty rare and a lot of
them have butternut canker,” Farrell said.
“In no way is it feasible at this point
to produce this syrup on a commercial
U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac

2014

Planning for the future: Daniel and his fiance Brittany Elder stand beside their new maple plantation, with over 1,200 maple saplings

AT A GLANCE
Butternut trees

Daniel displays some butternut syrup. With
a milder flavor than maple, it may appeal to an
even wider group of people.

scale.”
For now though, Daniel says he’s just
interested in experimenting.
He’s looking to pick up a small hobby
evaporator next season for butternut boiling and plans to take this year