Can I/should I freeze pure maple syrup?

[lakemom]

The Farmer's Market will be starting back up the 1st of May and I'll be able to get gallons of syrup for a decent price (those little bottles are outrageous at the grocery store!) and was wondering if I could freeze in pint or quart foodsaver bags in order to buy a year's worth at good seasonal (spring) prices.

[carolfsvt]

I live in Vermont - Maple Syrup central. I freeze maple syrup in the gallon plastic jugs. It doesn't completely freeze so you can still pour it, although it pours slowly, directly from the freezer into another container and then return the gallon jug to the freezer.

Carol

[lakemom]

Wow!! That's great info. I guess I'll just freeze it in the jugs then. Thank you so much.

[sbp]

I would think that you could store unopened gallons without refrigerating it. I mean, the syrup makers only make syrup during sugaring season, yet the product is sold year round, on the shelves at the grocery store without being refrigerated, kwim?

My BIL used to make syrup up until a few years ago and when I see him on Easter I'll try to remember to ask him how long it takes before syrup goes bad.

[Virusfdu]

You should check the package and/or ask the farmer's. Some jugs we've bought have said refrigerate, some only after opening. I know we normally set them in the bottom of the pantry where they don't get disturbed much and have had them last no problem without freezing.

But the farmer's will know their products best and be happy to give you information I'm sure. Especially if it means a bigger sale. You could also purchase bottles to bottle your own smaller containers if you buy it in bulk.

[carolfsvt]

I keep the gallon jug in the freezer and a smaller container in the refrigerator. Most sugar makers do recommend refrigerating opened syrup. It can get moldy once opened if it's hot or humid or if stored for very long. If it does get moldy, you can skim the mold off, boil it, not sure how long, and then you can use the remaining syrup. Just make sure you wash out the original container or use a different one.

Carol

[bluechicken]

I know it is a bit late for this, but perhaps for next year .... Instead of taking up freezer space, I just repackage the syrup into smaller jar and re-can it. (I checked with the person I got it from first to make sure I could do this.) You have to make sure to heat it back up to the proper temperature, but in all it is a pretty easy process. We find this works best as we can choose what size to recan it into and it doesn't take up a large amount of space.

This year when we went to buy it I know it was from last year's harvest as they hadn't started yet taping the trees this year. It was still good and we have had no problems with it. By all means, talk to whom every you buy it from as they can give you tips/hints on how to store it.

Here are some links:
Storing Maple Syrup - talks about freezing and canning it
Selecting, Storing and Serving Ohio Maple Syrup, HYG-5522-93

In general, all the resources I've looked at say that freezing is the best "long term" storage solution.

[~~Who,Me?~~]

I freeze maple syrup in the gallon plastic jugs. It doesn't completely freeze so you can still pour it, although it pours slowly

Like, slower than molasses in January?

Sorry, couldn't resist.