Maple syrup begins as sap in a maple tree. The tree is tapped with a drill to make a small hole for the spout to be inserted. It takes from 35-50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup depending on how much maple sugar content is there. The sap is collected in a large holding tank and then poured into an evaporator. The evaporator boils out most of the water leaving behind a sugar sand residue that must be removed. The syrup is then put into jugs and is ready to eat.