Maple sap is a clear, watery liquid collected from maple trees, primarily during late winter and early spring. It contains about 2-3% sugar, along with various minerals and nutrients. The sap flows when temperatures rise above freezing during the day and drop below freezing at night, creating pressure in the tree. To harvest maple sap, tappers drill small holes into the tree and insert spouts, allowing the sap to flow into buckets or tubing systems. The collected sap is then boiled down to produce maple syrup, a popular sweetener known for its rich flavor.