NJ Family / January 2012 / Maple Sugaring in New Jersey

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Maple Sugaring in New Jersey

Your family can get their sugar fix at one of these sweet maple-sugaring events this winter in New Jersey. (If you arrive home with fresh NJ maple syrup, try making one of these tasty recipes.)

Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge, NJ

Every Saturday and Sunday from Jan. 21-Feb. 26

Children and adults witness how maple trees are tapped, learn about sap collecting methods from past and present, and experience the boiling process that produces NJ maple syrup. Take a one-half-mile walk to the sugar shack from the environmental center.

On Jan. 28, learn the basics of tapping trees and sample a few tasty maple treats enjoyed since the time of the Native Americans.

Buttinger Nature Center in Pennington, NJ

Jan. 21 and 24

Listen to a short talk about maple sugaring, then help tap maple trees for this year's sap collection. Boots recommended.

Great Swamp in Chatham Township, NJ

Jan. 22, 29, and every Saturday and Sunday from Feb. 4-26 (except Feb. 12)

Learn how to identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and make syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. Taste-test different syrups at the end.

On Mar. 3, check out Great Swamp's Maple Sugar Festival, and enjoy maple sugar snow cones, taste tests, crafts, games, tree tapping demos, and more.

Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland, NJ

Feb. 11

Go on a walk and search for Sugar Maple trees. You will “tap” a maple tree, collect some sap, and make some maple syrup. Return to the center for hot chocolate and sugar snacks.

Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside, NJ

Feb. 20

On this Presidents' Day holiday, see The Journey of Sap to Syrup, and watch how 100 percent real maple syrup is made from the sap of a New Jersey sugar maple tree. Find out what equipment is needed to collect sap and take part in a taste test to see if you can identify the real thing.

Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit, NJ

Feb. 26

Enjoy a brisk winter afternoon outdoors at Maple Sugar Fest, learning the steps involved in turning tree sap into delicious maple syrup! There will be tapping and cooking demonstrations, a scavenger hunt, and taste tests.

Nature Center at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, NJ

Feb. 26, Mar. 3, 10, and 11

This event is a participatory demonstration in the procedures of home maple sugar production.

Will you be going maple sugaring in New Jersey this year? What treats do you prepare using maple syrup?