Celebrate National Maple Syrup Day with a Sweet (and Sticky) Twist!
There are few things in life that can’t be improved with a drizzle of maple syrup. Buddy from the movie Elf knew it, as he famously poured it all over his plate of spaghetti. While we don’t recommend going full Buddy, National Maple Syrup Day on December 17 is the perfect excuse to embrace this golden delight in all its forms. So, grab your favourite flannel, fire up the griddle, and get ready to celebrate this sweet slice of Canadiana.
Maple syrup: a sweet history
Before Europeans landed in North America, Indigenous peoples were already enjoying the sweet sap of the sugar maple tree. Fast forward to the 16th century, and French explorer Jacques Cartier inadvertently “tapped” into the magic while mistaking a maple tree for a walnut. Maple sap flowed, and the rest, as they say, is history.
By the 17th century, maple syrup had become a prized commodity, spreading its sweet influence across Europe and beyond. Its production has evolved since the days of boiling sap in iron pots over an open fire, but the basic premise remains.
From tree to table
Spring’s freeze-thaw cycle triggers the sap to flow from the roots into the trunk and branches, and farmers tap into sugar maples to collect it. Modern techniques now involve tubing systems and sugar shacks equipped with evaporators to boil (and concentrate) sap into syrup. Innovations like reverse osmosis help reduce water content before boiling, saving time and fuel, but the final product remains 100% natural.
Not just for pancakes
Sure, we still associate maple syrup with pancakes and waffles, but it is versatile. Think marinades, glazes, and cocktails. Do a little Google research and you’ll find no shortage of recipes for these – even going so far as a maple-infused martini.
On National Maple Syrup Day, take a moment to appreciate this delicious natural wonder. Whether you’re indulging in a stack of pancakes, experimenting with recipes, or raising a maple-spiked cocktail, let’s toast the sweet stuff that makes life just a little better. And if you’re tempted to follow Buddy’s lead and reach for the spaghetti… well, who are we to judge?
