×

Local maple syrup production has begun

Haley Gustafson | Daily Press Jeff Olson, one of the owners of Olson Bros. Sugar Bush in Bark River, holds jars of maple syrup to the sunlight to compare the colors from different batches of syrup Wednesday evening. Wednesday was the Sugar Bush’s second boil of the season.

BARK RIVER — The air smelled sweet at Olson Bros. Sugar Bush in Bark River Wednesday as the family-run business was boiling its second batch of sap that will be turned into maple syrup.

According to Jeff Olson, one of the owners of Olson Bros. Sugar Bush, the 11,000 tap lines are running sap smoothly.

“This year, we’re right on track,” said Olson, noting the ideal sap running time is March 10 through March 20.

Olson is no stranger to turning sap into maple syrup, as he has been involved with making the product since 1996. Olson Bros. Sugar Bush has been in operation since 2009 when Olson and his brothers purchased it.

Collecting sap to turn into syrup is very dependent on Mother Nature, Olson explained. Evenings need to be a chilly 20 degrees and the days need to reach about 40 degrees in order for the trees to expand and contract. The expansion and contraction cause pressure changes within the tree directing the sap towards its branches.

Haley Gustafson | Daily Press Jeff Olson, one of the owners of Olson Bros. Sugar Bush in Bark River, motions towards the sugar bush’s boiler while discussing the different variations in the boiling speed of sap being turned into maple syrup during the Sugar Bush’s second boil Wednesday evening.

“We want it to freeze and thaw,” said Olson.

To prepare for this year’s maple syrup season, the crew at the sugar bush took eight days to re-tap some trees and install/repair lines where needed. At the sugar bush, there are about 50 miles of tubing running sap into the brother’s operation.

This year, Olson said he is hoping to make 5,000 gallons of syrup. To do so, he needs to collect 200,000 gallons of sap.

Once the sap is collected, it makes its way to a CDL evaporator where it is boiled down into the sweet, syrup that people can enjoy.

The evaporator boils the sap at about 1,500 degrees, turning it golden in color, Olson explained. He added the first batches of syrup are the best because the sap is fresh, but as the season goes on, it will become bitter and not match the high quality that the Olson Bros. prefer for their product.

In addition to making sap into syrup, Olson said he and his family have also turned syrup into other confections including maple butter, brittle, and maple candies. Olson’s mother once made maple beer, he added.

Olson and the sugar bush also gives free tours of the maple syrup production to local school districts and the community.

On Saturday, April 21, Olson Bros. will be hosting their annual pancake day. Activities for the day will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. Guests can see and sample the different maple syrup products created at the sugar bush, take a tractor ride through the woods to see the tubing system, and explore the maple museum.

Overall, Olson said he is hopeful for another successful year.

“I’m optimistic on the year,” said Olson.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today