Not just syrup
Maple Products
From syrup to sugar, discover all of our delicious maple products
PURE ONTARIO MAPLE SYRUP
Often referred to as the first agricultural crop of the year, maple syrup is made from the sap of primarily sugar, red and black maple trees in late winter and early spring. The basic process of tapping maple trees to collect the sap and then boiling it down to make maple syrup and sugar has endured for centuries. There have been technological advancements over the years but the unique wholesome flavour of pure maple syrup has not changed.
In Ontario, maple syrup is produced commercially wherever maples are found: from the southern tip of the province to Thunder Bay in the northwest. With a production level of close to a million litres per year, Ontario is the second largest producer of maple syrup in the country next to Quebec.
It takes approximately 40 litres of maple sap to make 1 litre of maple syrup. The maple sap is collected in either buckets or by way of a pipeline that brings sap from the tree to the processing area. The sap, which comes out of the tree with a sugar content of approximately 2%, is boiled until it reaches between 66% and 67.5% sugar content. So you can see that a lot of hard work and dedication goes into each litre of maple syrup produced!
Maple syrup is a completely natural product with no additives. It is chock full of minerals and plant proteins. Research is currently underway to determine how this natural sweetener and flavour enhancing product can benefit human health.
Keep unopened containers of maple syrup in a cool, dry place: the refrigerator or preferably the freezer. The delicate maple flavour is best preserved over a long period by storing in the deep freezer. Once opened, store tightly closed in the refrigerator or place the unused portion back in the deep freezer.
Syrup Grades
Maple syrup is graded and then sold in classes from Ontario producers. Each class has a unique flavour and colour profile. Consumers choose depending on their personal preference or the intended use for the syrup. A darker class will add more flavour for baking or recipes, while a lighter one may be preferred for confections or pancakes. The following classes apply to Ontario Grade A maple syrup:
GOLDEN Delicate Taste
AMBER Rich Taste
DARK Robust Taste
VERY DARK Strong Taste
OTHER MAPLE PRODUCTS
Maple Taffy on Snow
This is the icon of the Canadian sugarbush and no trip to a sugar shack is complete without sampling this sticky gooey treat. Hot high density maple syrup is pouring directly on frozen snow creating a soft taffy texture. Taffy does not keep well over time so it’s typically only available at the sugarbush during the maple season or it can sometimes be found for sale at larger festivals or fairs. Our suggestion is to simply eat it as you find it because once it’s gone – there won’t be any more until next year.Maple Butter
If you have yet to try out some of the other maple products offered at your favourite Ontario maple producer this one is the second best choice only to maple taffy on snow. The consistency of maple butter or maple cream (the same product) is light and spreadable, very similar to the consistency of a light peanut butter. Its name comes from the fact that it has a “buttery” or “creamy” texture and not because it has any dairy products added to it. In fact, it has nothing at all added except 100% pure maple syrup. It is perfect as a spread on bread, pancakes, muffins, toast, and biscuits or as a dessert frosting. Take a small container to work with you one day and it’s guaranteed not to last the morning.
Maple butter should be kept in the refrigerator in a tightly covered container to prevent drying, or it may be covered with a thin layer of water. When storing for a long period it should be placed in the freezer.
Soft Sugar Candy
Real, pure maple candy is a real treat with a light outer shell and a creamy texture inside. It is typically made by boiling down maple syrup, stirring it, and pouring it into molds to harden. Maple candy comes in all shapes and sizes but you will most often find it formed into the shape of a maple leaf. This delicious maple product melts in your mouth and releases a rich maple flavor almost like fudge. Every year at festivals and sugar shacks across Ontario, maple candy is a staple treat.
Soft maple sugar should not be kept longer than a week unless it is crystal coated. Crystal coated sugar will keep for up to two months when stored in a cool, dry place.
Hard Sugar Candy
Many enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth type treats but others may prefer an all-natural candy that does NOT dissolve quickly. That’s what these hard maple candies are designed to do – last a long time! Made entirely with pure Ontario maple syrup and usually individually packaged in the shape of small maple leaves, these candies are an ideal treat for pockets and purses. Take them on road trips, to the office, shopping, wherever you need a little sweet pick-me-up on the go. They are especially handy for grandchildren just about to head home from their weekend visit.
With an almost permanent shelf live hard maple candy does not require any special storage requirements. Like any hard candy it only needs to be protected from high humidity and moisture.
Granulated Sugar
Granulated maple sugar is the most versatile product that is made from maple syrup. It can be used in recipes as a replacement for brown or white sugar on a one for one exchange by volume or by weight and is the healthiest of all available sugar types. It can also be used as a topping on cereal, placed in sugar straws or used anywhere other sugar would be used to add flavour or sweetness. The flavor of many products is enhanced by using maple sugar in place of white sugar and is especially valued by many consumers for its natural and sustainable origin.
Granulated maple sugar has no available water so it’s totally shelf stable and will not separate or mold. It can be stored indefinitely at room temperature and with proper packaging and moisture control will not loose its granular nature. Store it the same way as white sugar and don’t worry about it hardening.
Committed to the production of high quality maple products using the best management practices.