Pass the syrup, please! Yesterday was National Maple Syrup Day! Yep, we will celebrate anything here at Brainfiller HQ.
This natural sweetener was first discovered and processed by the indigenous people of North America. European settlers later refined the art of making syrup. Up until the 1930’s, the United States were the world leaders in maple syrup production. Now, Canada has taken the maple syrup throne.
Did you know that a maple syrup production farm is called a sugarbush or a sugarwood? Here are some other fun facts about maple syrup:
- Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States.
- Sap is boiled in a sugar house which is also known as a sugar shanty, sugar shack or a cabane à sucre.
- Although not limited to these maple species, it is usually made from the xylem sap of sugar maple, red maple or black maple trees.
- It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup.
- Quebec produces about 2/3 of the world’s syrup.
- A quarter cup of syrup is high in minerals.
- The first written account of maple syrup production comes from 1606.
- A tree takes about 40 years before it’s large enough to tap.
- The International Maple Syrup Institute was founded in 1975 and their meetings include breakfast buffets.
- Sap is usually preferred to syrup in Korea. Since the ninth century, the gorosoe, or “tree good for the bones,” is a Korean maple that’s been tapped by southern villagers. Locals drink over 5 gallons in one sitting as a common practice.
Enjoy this day with some pancakes or waffles. Or you can be like Buddy the Elf and try some syrup on your spaghetti.
Have an extra sweet day!
