Maple sugar is got by heating sap tapped from maple trees past the point of making pure organic maple syrup and maple candy. Its texture is similar to brown sugar but can be made coarser to give it an extra crunch. Coarse maple sugar is perfect for sprinkling over ice-cream and cakes. Heating the sap for a long period of time will make all the liquid evaporate leaving granules of sugar in its wake. Maple sugar is predominantly made up of sucrose with small percentages of glucose and fructose. It can be stored for a longer time and is much sweeter than table sugar.

Making maple sugar requires skill because it burns easily and quickly. Maple syrup, instead of sap, can also be used to make sugar. It is heated past boiling temperature and stirred constantly so that when the water evaporates, granules of formed sugar are made. It is advisable that when making maple sugar, long-sleeved shirts are worn. This is because as the sap is being boiled, it becomes sticky and very hot which may cause severe burns. As soon as the sap is boiled to the right temperature, it is cooled and stirred continuously. However, this concoction stores heat for a long period of time which is why it is of prime importance that it is constantly aerated. It is also advisable that a fan is blowing nearby to keep off the steam. Transferring the boiled sap into a wooden container is also a great way to keep moisture at bay and assist in aerating the molten liquid. Continuous stirring is needed so that lumps will not form.

It is not surprising that maple sugar is widely used in cooking. Since it has a high sucrose content, it saves a lot of money too. Some of the most famous treats that uses maple sugar is the maple sugar pie. Usually fruits like apples and bananas can be incorporated into the recipe to make it extra special.

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