In Northeast Ohio sits a log cabin in the heart of the city. Fashioned after the small home in Kentucky that President Abraham Lincoln grew up in, the cabin is the proverbial sweet spot of the city as it's the place where the fresh maple syrup harvested in early spring from local maple trees have been tapped is brought. Built in 1931, the cabin has undergone various renovations, additions, and upgrades. Not only do the employees at the cabin make tasty syrup, but the cabin is a fun and informative place to stop for local information and travel resources.
During our visit to Geauga County this year, Mr. Locke and I learned all about what it takes to collect the syrup and turn it into candy at the Burton Log Cabin.
Sounds delicious, doesn't it?
Harvesting Maple Syrup
After a sugar maple tree is tapped and the raw syrup collected in to buckets, the clear, thin syrup is then cooked from a 2% sugar concentrate to around 66% when ready to serve. Four grades can be achieved as well: Grade A Fancy, Grade A Light Amber, Grade A Dark amber, and Grade B. The light and dark amber are the most desirable and Grade B is generally saved for baking.
Making Maple Candy
The old school way would have been to use a large pot on a fire to reduce and thicken the syrup but, compliments of modern equipment, the syrup can be carefully watched and measured until the desired grade is achieved. Of the four syrup grades, the Burton Log Cabin is famous for its Grade A Light Amber and Grade A Dark Amber styles. It takes 40 gallons of maple tree sap to make one gallon of maple syrup!
To make maple candy, the syrup is stirred and cooled to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, causing crystallization of its sugar. While still flexible, the thick mixture is poured into molds like these ones and cooled until hardened into candy. Easy peasy, right? It does take a ton of elbow grease but the final product is well worth the effort.
Blue Ribbon Candy?
Each year, Burton Log Cabin submits an entry to the Geauga County Maple Festival. This year's whimsical theme is a Ferris Wheel and it was fascinating to watch its creation.
The cabin has won several blue ribbons from previous festivals and the candy is displayed in the cabin, well preserved on a shelf.
Maple candy making is in full force right now at Burton Log Cabin, so if you're in the area stop in and taste for yourself.
Happy travels!
Disclosure: I was hosted by Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Inc. and Punderson Manor State Park Lodge to give you fine folks the scoop on what makes the manor and park so incredible for visitors. I was not asked to state a particular point of view and all opinions are my own!
No comments:
Post a Comment