It takes around 40 gallons of maple sap to produce a gallon of syrup, according to one rule of thumb. You wouldn’t want to pour the un-concentrated stuff on your pancakes, though: Sap right out of the tree is watery and far from sticky-sweet. But if you carbonate that slightly sugary sap, you’ll have yourself a sparkling, lightly sweet beverage.
This is the premise of several carbonated beverages from the great state of Vermont, a land of flapjacks and maple syrup. Each winter, countless trees are tapped, with a bucket placed against the trunk to collect the dripping sap. The resulting beverage is light and has just a hint of maple syrup taste. If you’re used to pouring syrup on your breakfast, the subtleness might be a bit surprising. That said, you can always opt for maple soda, which is strengthened with a pour of real maple syrup.
Written By
Alex Mayyasi
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