Using maple syrup without just the right sugar content, or cooking it just a few degrees too warm or too cool, or choosing the wrong day to do it, and instead of delicious maple candy you’ve got a sticky mess.

“If you’re not quick enough, it will harden inside the machine,” said Jennifer Parker, wife of Michael Parker of Parker Family Maple Farm in West Chazy and owner of the confection business Jennifer’s Maple Sweets.

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