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Fresh maple syrup is truly one of the first signs of spring north in
Ontario. What better way to celebrate spring than at the many
maple syrup festivals north of Toronto. Maple syrup production starts
in many areas in early to mid March and runs into April depending on day
and evening temperature changes. Many of the 400Eleven members have late
winter spring festival activities in nearby resort destinations or mixed
with March getaways and April
Getaways during the maple syrup harvest.
Maple Syrup Myths or Facts
Maple Trees were once called Maypoles: True: From an early settler "I
have ever seen was making sugar out of a tree...you make a hole in the
tree) the Maypole they call it and out come the sugar like seet water
thick like and you boil it." from the John A. MacDonald Alubum by
Lena Newman.
From Maypoles to Maple Trees, there are many who believe the Fall Colour
Season coincides with Maple Syrup production. False! Maple leaf color
changes take place in September and October not March and April. See fall
maple leaf colour routes.
A Spring tonic: Drinking the "Maple Sap" directly from the
tree is a spring tonic to revive one from a long winter. Possible!! First
Nations spring cure to renew vitality. Let the reader decide see Foodland
Ontario Facts about Maple Syrup.
A cure for Cholera: "An 1832 remedy included a rub of lard, maple
sugar and ashes from the maple tree (Note: this could be a spa treatment
today), followed by a hot draught of maple sugar and lye causing violent
perspiration." from the John A. MacDonald Album by Lena Newman.
Families can learn the history of maple syrup and glimpse first hand
the boiling of the sap, (sweet water) and the making of the maple syrup.
Maple
syrup history goes back 1000 years and coincides with the arrival
of spring, warmer weather and the "Maple Moon." The "sugaring
off " period or maple syrup festival time is unique to North Eastern
North America. In Canada, production is primarily in Ontario, Quebec,
and some in the Maritimes. Many products are made from the syrup including
maple butter, maple taffy in the snow, maple walnut ice cream, cured maple
bacon, maple fudge, and a variety of desserts such as baked apples with
maple syrup, always a family favorite.
Ontario 2010 Maple Syrup News
New
Maple syrup standards
Peterborough Examiner
... mice out of sugar houses and proper ways to sanitize equipment, said
Neil Campbell, incoming president of the association's Haliburton-Kawartha
chapter. ...
Maple Syrup Recipes
The taste treat was first reported in the 1600's by French priests,
probably in Quebec and historic Huronia area of Georgian Bay. See Maple
Syrup Recipes.
Maple Trees For Syrup
The source of maple syrup should not be forgotten. The importance of
the maple tree is often ignored both as the source of Canada's national
emblem on our flag, and as the source of the delicious golden liquid called
maple syrup produced each spring in North Eastern Canada. The Sugar Maple
is the main source of maple sap for maple syrup products. See more information
on Sugar
Maple Tree.
More information on Canadian maple trees can be found at Maple
Leaves Forever (MLF]. Maple Leaves Forever Foundation advocates planting
of native maples in increasing numbers across the rural landscape of southern
Ontario.
Maple Syrup 2010 Festival
Activities
A trip to the sugarbush with the family wouldn't be complete without
the taste of fresh 'hot-off-the grill' pancakes and sausages smothered
in Canadian maple syrup. In recent years the Maple Syrup Festivals have
attracted a wide range of families and couples. Visitors from all over
Ontario and Canada plus international travellers and visitors come experience
one of the many traditions of being Canadian in Ontario.
Sugar bush experiences highlight many family fun activities:
- horse drawn sleigh rides
- maple syrup boiling demonstrations
- taffy on snow
- log-sawing contests
- snowshoe races
- plank races
- step, clog and old-time square dancing
- nature trail walks
- live old-tyme music and more.
See March Getaways, and Spring March
Break Getaways for resorts, inns, hotels including maple syrup activities
in their family programs and packages for
families.
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