Maple Syrup

Across the region, record winter temperatures are wreaking havoc with maple tree systems, forcing syrup producers to tap trunks early in the hope of catching the best, most sugary sap before it disappears with spring. At least one producer in Massachusetts, Turtle Lane Maple Farm in North Andover, has decided not to tap its trees because the unusual weather has affected the trees' sugar, making the production of syrup too onerous and costly. "With the energy cost and labor, it just wasn't worth tapping 500 trees and gathering the sap and boiling it down," said Paul Boulanger, who owns the farm with...

By Kathy McCabe, Globe Staff Got maple syrup? Make jewelry? The Malden Chamber of Commerce wants you. The chamber is looking for crafters and specialty food vendors to participate in this year's farmers market opening on June 19 at City Hall Plaza. There is enough space for 20 to 25 vendors to set up shop in an area between City Hall and the police station. "It's a good, visible location," said Ted Coates, the chamber's executive director. "We're hoping to draw a mix of crafters and specialty food vendors.

After last year's record season for maple syrup production on Vermont, it looks like this won't be such a great year for the sugarhouses. Vermont produced a record of more than 1.1 million gallons of maple syrup in 2011. But the Burlington Free Press (http://bfpne.ws/GMaIQb) says 2012 is shaping up as a down year for syrup in Vermont and elsewhere. That may mean the cost for syrup goes up, depending on how the season went in Quebec, the biggest syrup producer in the world. Bernie and Ann Comeau's maple sap boiling operation in Williston started and ended earlier than ever this year — Feb. 17 to...

To survive and prosper, more of the region's farmers are looking for creative ways to generate revenue and appeal to consumers. Siena Farms, Sudbury Starting to raise chickens to sell eggs and supplement produce operation, runs a small produce store in Boston's South End. Atlas Farms, Deerfield Grows many varieties of vegetables both for farmers markets and wholesale, and operates a farm store that sells other people's locally...

Serves 4 A little sweetness brings out the best in roasted Brussels sprouts. Cook them with bacon and maple syrup until the sprouts are tender and the bacon has rendered its fat and turns crisp and golden. It’s true, everything’s better with bacon. 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons maple syrup 3 slices of bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces Salt and pepper, to taste ...

A Rhode Island man has pleaded guilty in Vermont federal court to selling mislabeled maple syrup. Fifty-year-old Bernard Coleman of West Warwick, R.I., said he initially sold pure maple syrup over the Internet. But when the price of syrup increased, he decided to make his own out of water, sugar and maple flavoring. He said he made the syrup in his home and sold it since 2009. A couple who bought about $220 worth of syrup from him doubted that it was authentic and had it tested by the state Department of Agriculture Consumer Protection.

Vermonters know that as the snow begins to recede, the sap begins to run. The warmer days and still-cold nights signal more than mud season: It's maple sugaring time. For centuries, New Englanders have celebrated the end of winter and the start of longer daylight hours with "sugaring off" parties. According to the New England Maple Museum website ( www.maplemuseum.com ), Native Americans showed European settlers how to tap trees and boil sap down to its crystallized form. Maple sugar was the primary source of sweetener in the Colonies until the introduction of cane sugar in the...

To paraphrase some famous fictional bears: Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA is too light. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA is too heavy. Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA is just right. OK, I don't really believe that. I enjoy both the 60 and the 90 (the latter being a double IPA). But I'm also loving the new 75. Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA was first created four years ago, but it was hard to get. The brewery in Rehoboth Beach, Del., blended its 60 Minute and 90 Minute IPAs, conditioned it with maple syrup, and called the concoction Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA. A limited...

Serves 10 to 12 Set these out with an old-fashioned olive and celery plate. The pecans are tossed with maple syrup, butter, and chipotle powder or cayenne. Butter (for the pan) 1 pound unsalted pecans 3 tablespoons melted butter 4 tablespoons maple syrup 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 ...

Dinner, dancing and lots of maple syrup will be on the menu at the University of New Hampshire next month. Tickets are now on sale for "Maple Movements," a gourmet dinner organized by the university's hospitality management students. On Dec. 2 and Dec. 3, guests will enjoy a multicourse meal featuring dishes made with New Hampshire maple syrup, and will be entertained by UNH and Seacoast area dancers. Guest chefs from area restaurants work with students on the dinner. Tickets cost $60 per person.

Several farmers markets operated by Rhode Island's Department of Environmental Management have opened for the season. Markets at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick and Colt State Park in Bristol now have hours on Fridays, while the market at Haines Memorial State Park on the East Providence-Barrington line is open on Wednesdays. The farmers market at Fishermens' Memorial State Park in Narragansett will be open once a week beginning Sunday. Officials say the markets will initially offer mainly plants, cut flowers, early vegetable crops, honey and maple syrup.

Serves 4 The touch of purple here comes from chive flowers, which are edible, explains Sarah Voiland, co-owner of Red Fire Farm in Granby. If you can't find chives with their purple tops, make the salad without them. ½pound fresh spinach, stemmed, rinsed, and dried¼cup olive oilChive flowers from one bunch of chives(optional)2½tablespoons maple syrup 2½tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1½teaspoons Dijon mustard⅓cup chopped chivesSalt and pepper, to taste2eggs, hard-cooked, peeled, and quartered4radishes, thinly sliced 1. In a shallow serving...

A sure sign of spring: The hop bombs are sprouting. Some beautiful new ones are blooming this year: Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA Dogfish Head actually created this beer four years ago, but it was difficult to get. The brewery in Rehoboth Beach, Del., blended Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA and Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA (a double IPA), conditioned it with maple syrup, and called it Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA. A limited number of casks were shipped now and then to craft beer bars, but 75 Minute hasn't been widely available — or bottled — until now. "There are some situations when 90 is too much,"...

To paraphrase some famous fictional bears: Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA is too light. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA is too heavy. Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA is just right. OK, I don't really believe that. I enjoy both the 60 and the 90 (the latter being a double IPA). But I'm also loving the new 75. Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA was first created four years ago, but it was hard to get. The brewery in Rehoboth Beach, Del., blended its 60 Minute and 90 Minute IPAs, conditioned it with maple syrup, and called the concoction Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA. A limited number of firkins were...

Thousands of people are pouring native maple syrup over pancakes and ice cream as Maine's syrup producers open their doors for the annual Maine Maple Sunday. Even though the unseasonably warm temperatures have been playing havoc with sap production, scores of participating sugar houses around the state are open Sunday to allow the public to view the syrup-making process and taste a few samples. The annual event celebrates Maine's maple syrup industry. Maine Maple Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday in March, but a number of sugar houses were open on Saturday...

After last year's record season for maple syrup production on Vermont, it looks like this won't be such a great year for the sugarhouses. Vermont produced a record of more than 1.1 million gallons of maple syrup in 2011. But the Burlington Free Press (http://bfpne.ws/GMaIQb) says 2012 is shaping up as a down year for syrup in Vermont and elsewhere. That may mean the cost for syrup goes up, depending on how the season went in Quebec, the biggest syrup producer in the world. Bernie and Ann Comeau's maple sap boiling operation in Williston started and ended earlier than ever this year — Feb. 17 to...

Serves 4 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped 2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans 1/4 teaspoon Gulden’s brown mustard 1/3 cup maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme Salt and pepper, to taste 1. In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.

This has been no winter for snowshoeing or pond skating. But despite near record warmth, another New England tradition carries on: maple sugaring. Natick Community Organic Farm will hold its annual Maple Magic Day on Saturday, and Drumlin Farm in Lincoln will hold its annual Sap to Syrup Farmer's Breakfast on March 17 and 18. It's too early to tell whether the mild temperatures will affect maple syrup production this harvest season, which lasts through this month, said Winton Pitcoff, coordinator for the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association.

This has been no winter for snowshoeing or pond skating. But despite near record warmth, another New England tradition carries on: maple sugaring. Natick Community Organic Farm will hold its annual Maple Magic Day on Saturday, and Drumlin Farm in Lincoln will hold its annual Sap to Syrup Farmer's Breakfast on March 17 and 18. It's too early to tell whether the mild temperatures will affect maple syrup production this harvest season, which lasts through this month, said Winton Pitcoff, coordinator for the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association.