Food and Farm Showcase: Coles Maple Syrup
Coles Maple Syrup in the Town of Triangle is a perennial winner at the New York State Fair, having won three Best of Show awards and multiple ribbons at the State Fair and Broome County Fair.
Owner Gary Coles grew up making syrup with his brother in a bathtub.
In 1995, he started tapping trees on his 400 acres and in 2019 took the operation to another level with the installation of a reverse osmosis system and an oil-fired evaporator.
These days, he produces anywhere from 500 to 1,000 gallons a year, enough to be able to sell his product year-round.
Coles says when the sap is flowing, it must be boiled down immediately or it risks spoiling. That can mean up to eight hours a day spent in the sugar house.
'This is kind of my retirement. It keeps me out of mischief because I get bored sitting and watching the TV like a lot of people who are retired go sit there. I probably wouldn't survive. At least keep active,' said Coles.
Coles currently taps 2,000 trees, but at age 75, he says he's looking to slow down a bit.
He also operates a Christmas tree farm, and cuts lumber on his property.
Coles says he won't judge this year's season until it's over, but it's bucking the recent trend of maple season coming earlier in the year.
He says for people seeking locally produced, all-natural products, you can't beat maple.
'I have pancakes every Sunday night. I test my product every Sunday night. That's my standard Sunday night meal. Make the pancakes from scratch, get my maple syrup out. I've taken my maple syrup when I was in Australia and New Zealand and that type of stuff. I'll probably take it to Africa when I'm going this year,' said Coles.
Coles says he'll be in Africa this year during the state fair, but he's already asked a fellow sugar maker to bring his syrup to the competition.
Coles sells a variety of grades of syrup, maple cream, sugar shapes and granulated sugar out of his home on Route 206.
For more information, go to ColesMapleSyrup.com.
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