National Maple Syrup Day December 17th
WHAT IS NATIONAL MAPLE SYRUP DAY?
GET YOUR MAPLE ON! National Maple Syrup Day is December 17! This delicious condiment is just as versatile as it is tasty; people enjoy it drizzled over everything, from pancakes to eggs to salads to barbecue; this sugary substance has more potential than some give it credit for.
The History of Maple Syrup Day
The origins of the production of maple syrup can be traced back thousands of years to the northeastern region of the United States. There, it was first gleaned from the abundant maple tree population by indigenous peoples. While it is uncertain as to how and why exactly the extraction process first began, it is inarguable that maple sap became a key ingredient in a variety of dishes.
The arrival of European colonists would allow for the introduction of maple syrup to the Old World, and their love for the taste of the arboreal byproduct was matched by their appreciation for its utility. It was a popular substitute for cane sugar, as this had to be imported from the West Indies region, and its ability to exist in both liquid and crystallized form made it an ideal source for concentrated sugar. The colonists’ extraction methods differed from those of the indigenous peoples, and they would serve as the foundation for several subsequent iterations upon the process. Some maple trees may have even seen dozens of changes to the extraction procedures used upon them, as they can continue to be tapped for sap for more than 100 years!
“Approximately 40 gallons of maple sap are required to produce just one gallon of maple syrup! If you think that conversion rate is crazy, consider that maple syrup production is arguably the most efficient today than it’s ever been. ”
Who knew we had so many Coos County Maple Producers?
Muddy Boots - Groveton
Fuller Sugarhouse- Jefferson
Mount Cabot Maple - Lancaster
Burns Lake Farm - Whitefield
Meridien Hill Maple Farm - Columbia
Flying Sleigh Farm - Columbia
Owen Boys Sugar House - Stewartstown
Grays Sugar House - Pittsburg
Haynes Call Sugar Bush - Colebrook
Lost Nation Maple - Berlin
Boothman Sugar Orchard - Randolph
And just over the border….April’s Maple - Canaan, VT