• It takes a lot of sap to make syrup: On average, it takes about 40 gallons (or 150 liters) of maple sap to produce just one gallon (about 4 liters) of maple syrup. That’s why every drop is so precious

• Maple trees are long-lived contributors: A maple tree must be around 40–45 years old before it can be tapped for syrup, and a healthy tree can provide sap for up to 100 years. [farmersalmanac.com]

• Canada is the maple syrup capital: About 80% of the world’s maple syrup comes from Canada, with Quebec producing the vast majority. [vermontflannel.com]

• Only a few maple species are used: Of the many maple species, only three are commonly tapped for syrup—sugar maple, black maple, and red maple—because of their high sugar content. [cottagelife.com]

• Maple syrup comes in different grades: Maple syrup is graded by color and flavor, ranging from golden delicate to very dark strong. The lighter syrups are usually milder, while the darker ones have a more robust flavor, perfect for baking and cooking. [tastingtable.com]

• Maple syrup is rich in minerals: A quarter-cup of maple syrup contains 100% of your recommended daily allowance of manganese, plus significant amounts of riboflavin, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. It also has antioxidant levels comparable to a banana or a serving of broccoli. [cottagelife.com]

• Indigenous roots: Indigenous peoples of North America were the first to make maple syrup, using it as a sweetener, medicine, and for trade long before European settlers arrived. [tastingtable.com]

• Maple syrup doesn’t freeze easily: Thanks to its high sugar content, maple syrup has a much lower freezing point than water, making it hard to freeze solid. [vermontflannel.com]

• Maple syrup is valuable: A barrel of maple syrup is worth about 20 times more than a barrel of crude oil! In fact, there was a famous heist in Quebec where thieves stole nearly 550,000 gallons of syrup worth over $18 million. [vermontflannel.com]

• Maple sap can be enjoyed as a drink: Before it’s boiled into syrup, maple sap is a clear, slightly sweet water that’s sometimes enjoyed as a refreshing drink. [vermontflannel.com]

🍁 A Sweet History Rooted in Tradition

Maple syrup has been cherished for centuries, with its origins deeply rooted in the traditions of Indigenous peoples of northeastern North America. Long before European settlers arrived, tribes like the Algonquin, Iroquois, and Ojibwe discovered the sweet sap of maple trees and developed methods to collect and process it.

• Early methods involved cutting V-shaped notches into trees and using wooden spouts to guide sap into birch bark containers.
• Sap was boiled using heated stones or over open fires, slowly transforming it into syrup.
• Maple syrup held spiritual and cultural significance, often celebrated with seasonal rituals like the “Maple Dance.” [maplesyrup...canada.com]

When European settlers arrived, they learned these techniques and adapted them using metal tools and iron kettles, eventually turning maple syrup into a staple of homestead life and a valuable trade item. Over time, syrup production evolved into a commercial enterprise, especially in Canada and the northeastern United States, where the climate and forests are ideal. [britannica.com]