Maple juice: subtleties of harvesting, storage, what are the benefits and harms

Maple juice is one of the healthiest foods in the world. It is especially popular in Canada and belongs to the national drink. In the United States, it is manufactured on a production scale. We will tell you about the useful properties of a valuable product, its contraindications, at what time to collect and what can be done from it.

When maple sap is harvested

If you decide to prepare a healthy drink, then you need to figure out when to collect maple juice. Harvesting begins in the first ten days of March, when the air temperature stops at -2 ° С ... + 6 ° С.

Swelling of the kidneys is the first sign that it's time to start harvesting the juice. The harvest period ends when the buds begin to bloom.

Why maple juice is good for you

Many people do not know if maple juice is drunk fresh. The unequivocal answer is yes. It is recommended to use it with a weakened immune system, during the period of massive viral epidemics, as well as after surgical interventions and during rehabilitation. Before you start drinking the drink, you should figure out what the benefits and harms of maple juice are.

Positive properties:

• removes slags and salts;
• has a diuretic and choleretic effect;
• promotes weight loss;
• prevents blood clots in blood vessels;
• normalizes the digestive tract;
• has a beneficial effect on potency;
• has an antibacterial effect;
• cheers up;
• slows down the development of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases;
• has a preventive and therapeutic effect against cancer and infectious diseases;
• strengthens the nervous system.

The juice acts as an antibiotic. When applied externally, it promotes the early healing of cuts, burns and wounds.

The juice contains a minimum amount of glucose in its composition, so it is allowed to use it for diabetes. Due to the high content of nutrients, it is recommended for pregnant women, as it helps to maintain the health of the expectant mother and the correct development of the fetus.

The juice is not harmful to health, except in the case of an allergic reaction in case of individual intolerance.

It is also worth paying attention to the ecological well-being of the area where the product was collected. Toll is prohibited near the motorway and industrial sites, as juice can be saturated with salts of heavy metals and other harmful substances.

Should be used with caution by diabetics. Despite the obvious benefits, it is allowed to drink no more than two glasses of the drink a day, so as not to harm your health.

Excessive consumption of maple sap during pregnancy can tone the uterus, so magnesium is recommended in parallel.

Maple sap storage rules

Fresh juice can be stored for no more than three days at a temperature of + 2 ° С… + 6 ° С. After that, it needs to be recycled. The product is best preserved in canned form.

How much and how to store maple sap:

1. A drink rolled up without added sugar retains its taste and nutritional properties for 1 year, with added sugar - 2 years.
2. Maple syrup will last up to 6 months in the refrigerator.
3. Kvass juice-based retains its qualities in the basement for six months, and cider for a year.

Fresh maple liquid may be frozen.To do this, you need to fill plastic containers or bags, leaving some free space and place in the freezer compartment.

If necessary, thaw the juice on the top shelf of the refrigerator.

What to cook with maple juice

Drinks and syrup are very tasty from maple juice. Among the variety of recipes, the most common and simple ones should be highlighted, which will appeal to everyone.

Honey drink

This cooking variation is tasty and healthy, thanks to the dried fruits and honey in it.

Would need:

• dried fruits - 120 g;
• maple juice - 6 liters;
• honey - 130 ml.

How to prepare:

1. Strain and heat freshly harvested juice. Maximum temperature 90 °.
2. Rinse and scald dried fruits. You can use dried apricots, raisins, prunes, or a mixture of these. Send to maple liquid.
3. Add honey and stir.
4. Pour into jars and pasteurize for half an hour in a water bath. Roll up.

Kvass

The prepared drink will perfectly quench your thirst, cleanse the body, help to cope with diseases of the kidneys and genitourinary system. We offer the best maple juice kvass recipe that is suitable for the whole family.

Would need:

• juice - 10 liters of maple;
• pressed yeast - 50 g

How to prepare:

1. Strain the liquid. Transfer to a heat-resistant container and simmer over a minimum flame for 20 minutes. Cool down.
2. Crumble yeast and pour into liquid. Mix.
3. Leave in a warm room away from sunlight for 4 days to wander.
4. Pour into bottles. Close with plugs. Insist a month.

Syrup

Maple sap is 90% water, so you need to evaporate it to make a sweet treat. A properly prepared product turns out to be environmentally friendly and dietary. It is customary to serve it as a dessert for cookies, pancakes, waffles. Syrup is used to replace sugar and add to drinks. It improves the taste of vegetable and meat dishes, cereals and yoghurts.

To get 100 ml of syrup, you need 4 liters of maple juice.

How to cook:

1. Pour juice into a deep heat-resistant container. Boil on a minimum flame.
2. When all the water has evaporated, a viscous, caramel-colored mass with a wood scent will remain at the bottom.
3. Pour into a glass container and close the lid. Keep refrigerated.

Cider

Would need:

• maple juice - 6 liters;
• wine yeast - 10 g;
• maple syrup - 1 liter

How to prepare:

1. Heat the syrup to 23 ° C.
2. Strain the juice and pour into a ceramic container. There is no need to boil it.
3. Add yeast, then syrup. Stir until smooth. Remove to a dark place for 3 months. Shake the container periodically.
4. The cider is ready when the bubbles stop forming on the surface and the drink clears up.
5. Pass through the filter and store in a cool, dark place.

Sugar

On an industrial scale, sugar is produced from maple sap. The syrup poured into the centrifuge separates into dark crystals and a liquid part.

The product is used for the preparation of any dishes It gives them not only a pleasant sweetness, but also saturates them with a large amount of nutrients.

Canned juice

For cooking, you only need freshly harvested maple liquid.

How to cook:

1. Warm up the juice to 90 ° C. Pour into sterilized jars.
2. Pasteurize for another half hour. Close the lids and roll up.

The juice cannot be boiled. The high temperature will deprive the drink of all nutrients.

Juice with added sugar

Would need:

• maple juice - 10 liters;
• sugar - 1 kg.

How to cook:

1. Connect all components. Put on fire and bring to a boil. Stir constantly during cooking.
2. Pour into sterilized jars.
3. Pasteurize for another quarter of an hour and roll up.
4. Turn the container upside down. Cover with a blanket and leave for a couple of days.

There is no sucrose in the syrup, so it is allowed to use it in moderation for diabetes, as well as overweight people.

Maple juice brings invaluable health benefits, gives you vigor and strength. The proposed recipes are famous for their ease of preparation, excellent taste and variety. If you follow all the recommendations, the first time you will be able to cook a healthy product that the whole family will appreciate.

Cooking maple syrup - video