Just drive down an old country road, roll down your window and take a deep breath. The wind is brisk, fresh and clean. The air is filled with a sweet lingering mist. Now close your eyes and concentrate. The pervasive aroma wafts across your palate making you run for the nearest pancake house – it’s maple syrup season!
From the mid 16th century to the present, Canadian maple syrup has played an important role in Canadian cuisine. The thick, super sweet golden nectar with a caramelized taste is considered to be an ideal candidate for fine foods because of its rich texture.
From gourmet foods such as maple glazed meats to crème brûlée to rich and sweet snacks like maple ice cream and fudge, Canadian maple syrup had been, and still is, an important ingredient for creating some of our most delicious dishes.
In Canada, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia produce an incredible two-thirds of the world’s supply of maple syrup with the United States supplying the rest.
HOW IT’S DONE
Canadian cold winters freeze the sap of the indigenous maple trees and in the spring when it thaws, the trees are tapped and the sap collected. Then it’s boiled down into a luscious, heavenly, silky sweet nectar. You can identify various grades of maple syrup by sight and flavour. The lightest is the most elegant. Medium-grade has a muscular flavour with a finesse to the body. Amber (dark) is full, rich, mouth-filling, and robust in body and texture.
WHERE IT’S TAPPED
Maple syrup can be produced anywhere in the province where there is a grove of maple trees. If you have maple trees in your yard, you can even tap them and make your own maple syrup. When the trees are tapped for the sap, it’s known as a sugar bush. Lanark County (west of Ottawa) is the maple syrup capital of Ontario and now they’re the Guinness World Record holder.
“Wheelers already achieved recognition in 2009 with a National Historic Plaque for paying homage to our nation’s maple history through its museum and display,” said Marie White, Lanark County Tourism manager.
“Lanark County is home to dozens of maple operations showcasing some of the best ‘liquid gold’ in Canada,” Ms. White adds. “We have award-winning syrup makers here, along with several sugar camps offering activities, food and demonstrations. We are immensely proud of our maple history!”
SERVE IT
To get the most flavour from maple syrup, warm it first and pour it over a steaming stack of pancakes or thick, juicy slices of roast pork. Warming maple syrup brings out its full aroma and flavour. For a truly decadent and exquisite experience try these recipes.
