The measurement of sugar content in maple sap or maple syrup is not just a matter of convenience, it is also important for controlling syrup taste, product quality, and for legal reasons. The principle unit of measure the maple syrup producer is interested in is degrees Brix. Brix is a measure of the percentage of sucrose, by weight, dissolved in a sugar/water solution. In the case of maple sap and maple syrup, 98% or more of the dissolved solids are made up of sugar, so the Brix scale is very applicable to maple syrup measurement. Regionally, there are different standards for maple syrup sugar content. The range is usually between 66 to 68 Brix. If a product drops below 66 Brix, there is a risk of fermentation, above 68 Brix, there is a risk that some of the dissolved sugar will come out of solution as the maple syrup cools. Hydrometers have long been used in maple syrup testing; however, a refractometer is more accurate than a hydrometer, requires a smaller sample size, eliminates sources of error, is easily cleaned, and reduces the time that it takes to measure maple sap and maple syrup. The eMaple Digital Refractometer from MISCO has a range from 0 to 85 Brix and was designed specifically for the maple syrup industry. The eMaple refractometer features two scales. The first scale is a conventional Brix scale with a resolution and a precision of +/- 0.1 Brix. It is intended for accurately measuring maple sap or maple syrup with a fluid temperature at or under 30 C (86 F). Brand New! Fresh from the Factory! MISCO OPTICAL-ENGINE Technology: Sapphire Optics, High Definition 1,024 Element Detector Array Stainless Steel Sample Well, Protective Evaporation Cover, Large 24-Character LCD, Display Backlight Easy to use: one button to take readings, one button to cycle through menu options Automatically calibrates itself to water; Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) Protective rugged rubber armor jacket; Made in the USA Additional Details ------------------------------ Number of items: 1