March is maple month. In the past, we celebrated this liquid gold at Island Lake and Terra Cotta Conservation Areas with our annual Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival. This year, we’re celebrating the sweetest season online with #MakingMapleMemories! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for maple-themed challenges, activities and fun facts to celebrate the arrival of spring.
From March 13 to April 5, participate in these challenges online and you will be entered for a chance to win a maple-themed prize pack. Each time you complete a challenge you will receive another entry into the draw. Please read our contest rules.
To kick off maple syrup season, we’re sharing eight fun facts about the sweet stuff. Share at your next family breakfast to show how much you know about Canada’s favourite condiment:
A maple tree takes about 40 years before it’s big enough to tap for sap.
Sap straight from the maple tree is mostly water and only about two per cent sugar. This is why it’s important to boil the sap down to a minimum of 66 per cent sugar in the syrup.
Canada produces 85 per cent of the world’s maple syrup, exporting an incredible $381 million of maple products annually.
Maple sugar and maple syrup can be used instead of sugar in desserts and savory dishes. Try out this recipe.
Believe it or not, maple syrup has plenty of health benefits. It’s rich in minerals like zinc, magnesium, calcium and potassium. Its antioxidant levels are comparable to a banana or a serving of broccoli.
A single maple tree can produce anywhere between 19 to 57 liters of sap per season. This wide margin depends on weather, tree age and health. A healthy maple tree can produce sap for generations.
While there are 10 native species of maple trees in Canada, not every variety is used to make maple syrup. Sugar maple, black maple and red maple are tapped for sap.
The natural sap produced in trees helps protect their roots during the winter. This means, if you have real syrup, it won’t freeze. An interesting experiment to see if you have quality syrup.
It’s no wonder maple syrup puts smiles on our faces. We look forward to reopening our sugar shacks at Island Lake and Terra Cotta Conservation Areas to the public next year. Until then, join us in celebrating the season through our #MakingMapleMemories contest. Good luck!
Did you know we sell maple syrup products at Island Lake Conservation Area and Terra Cotta Conservation Area? You can purchase them online and pick them up at the park. Check out these sweet and savory products.
By Kimberley Laird, Associate, Marketing and Communications