Fresh sap dripping into a collection bag as maple syrup season is in full effect in Upstate New York. © 2025 Teigen Reiter
PULASKI, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — Maple syrup season is here, and Upstate New York is buzzing with the sweet scent of syrup-making.
In the heart of Upstate New York, maple syrup season is in full swing in Pulaski. As the weather warms, locals like Josh Carguello take to the woods to tap trees and create a sweet syrup that’s shared with family and friends.
“It’s mostly about making it for my family and friends,” says Carguello. “I think it’s something that a lot of people should do, especially as a hobby. It’s a great way to spend time with family this time of year when there’s not much else to do outside.”
Josh isn’t the only one who appreciates the syrup-making process. Tapping maple trees and turning the sap into syrup is a beloved tradition in Upstate New York, which has the largest resource of tappable maple trees in the U.S., according to the state’s Department of Agriculture and Markets. But for Josh, it’s more about the joy of making something from nature and sharing it with others than selling it.
It takes roughly 43 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of syrup, a process that Josh enjoys.
“As someone who’s going to be a teacher, I plan to pass this on and get kids involved in this type of outdoor work,” he says. “For someone that makes it, there’s no better smell than when it’s on the stove, boiling down. When you bring it inside for the final boil, there’s no better smell in the world.”
After the syrup is made, Josh bottles it up and shares it with family and friends, continuing a tradition that’s close to his heart.
Just down the road, businesses like Millhouse Market are also taking part in the maple season. The restaurant sources its syrup from Robbins Family Maple in Lacona.
“We source it from local farmers; it helps to build our local economy. They know where it came from. It’s not overly produced, and there’s no corn syrup in it,” said Rebekah Alford, owner of Millhouse Market.
The restaurant uses local syrup in a variety of dishes, from pizza dough to coffee flavors like maple cinnamon and maple pecan.
The Millhouse not only sells maple syrup but also uses it as a key ingredient in their food, which customers appreciate for its authenticity.
“It’s a real product, and it helps support the local economy,” Alford said.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into the local maple syrup culture, the 53rd Annual CNY Maple Festival in Marathon is set for April 5 and 6, 2025. The event celebrates the maple industry with arts, crafts, and a variety of events. It’s a great way to enjoy the maple season and experience the tradition firsthand.
While Josh’s syrup may be reserved for family and friends, businesses like Millhouse Market are proud to share this local treasure with the community. Whether you’re tapping trees yourself or enjoying a meal made with locally sourced syrup, the maple season continues to be a cherished tradition in Upstate New York.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Maple syrup season: A sweet tradition in Upstate New York
Reiter: As winter fades and spring arrives, maple season kicks off in Pulaski, a little town in Upstate New York, where locals like Josh Carguello tap trees to make syrup.
Carguello: More about having maple syrup for my family to give out to friends and for like Christmas presents, especially.
Reiter: Josh not only enjoys the process of tapping trees but also appreciates the difference between locally made syrup and syrup from big companies.
Carguello: It was really cool to know that the syrup I’m having came from my backyard and not some factory with syrup and whatever else they put in there.
Reiter: From the beginning where Josh taps his trees, to a finished product like this, local restaurants like the Millhouse Market are bringing this syrup to your table.
Reiter: The Millhouse Market brings locally made maple syrup to its customers. Owner Rebecca Alford brings a pure and natural option straight from nearby farms.
Alford: Sourcing it from local farmers, it helps to build our local economy. They know where it came from. It’s not overly produced, there’s no corn syrup in it.
Reiter: The Millhouse Market doesn’t just sell local maple syrup—it also uses it as an ingredient.
Alford: In our pizza dough, we use it. It helps the yeast to grow. And then in our coffee flavors, we make a maple cinnamon and a maple pecan flavor. And then other specials when I make barbecue sauce, cookies, things like that.
Reiter: From tapping trees to supporting local farms, maple syrup is a true Upstate New York tradition. Reporting from Pulaski for NCC News, I’m Teigen Reiter.