Liquid gold arrived in the mail
Have I told you about my affinity for all things sweet? Yeah, it’s real and can be a problem.
Anyway, you can imagine that when a box showed up on my doorstep last week filled with cans of maple syrup, the sugar high began right away. That and a happy dance.
Quebec produced over 70 % of the worlds maple syrup yield in 2014.
In my experience there are two types of people. Those who love maple syrup and those who don’t. And Aunt Jemima doesn’t count. Ha!
It does have a distinct taste and is so very much Canadian. And, it is worth a lot of money. Theft of maple syrup has caused a warehouse storage facility, for the Quebec Maple Syrup Producers Federation in Laurierville, Quebec, to become the maple syrup fortress of Canada.
30-50 gallons of sap are evaporated to make 1 gallon of syrup
I have memories of going to a neighbors sugar bush as a kid and coming home all sticky from collecting sap and smelling like smoke. It is a lot of work making maple syrup but the reward sweet.
Now maple syrup makes me think of my family in Quebec, and how much I miss them, and trips to the ‘cabane à sucre’ every Spring. Making ‘la tire‘ or maple syrup taffy was always a highlight for the kids….and me.
Iconic metal cans
And those metal cans! I just love the iconic design and every can has a different recipe on the lid. Ingenious.
Wendy Tancock, a graphic designer in Toronto has in fact featured the can in one of many Canadiana inspired cards and prints.
For those of you wondering what to use maple syrup for, other than on pancakes or crepes, look no further than Ricardo the acclaimed Quebec chef. Here are some of his maple syrup recipes.
Letters and cards aside, a box of cans of maple syrup is a pretty sweet thing to get in the mail. Thank you Papa and Grandma!
Have you tried maple syrup before? What is your favorite way to use it?
We’ve used maple syrup exclusively on our pancakes and waffles for years now. Occasionally in a recipe, but I should do it more often. We live in south central Pennsylvania, and there’s a local maple sugar festival each year. So much fun for the kids to see how it’s made.
Hi there Carolyn, it is so fun to show the kids how maple sugar is made, incredible that it takes so much sap to make one gallon. Enjoy those waffles! Thanks for your visit.
Our favorite way to use maple syrup is in a bourbon lemonade cocktail – smitten kitchen’s Vermontucky Lemonade recipe. In fact, we used it as the signature cocktail at our wedding three years ago (making up almost 10 gallons of it – it was a BIG wedding) and everyone LOVED it. We like to take it to the beach with us because it’s light and refreshing 😉
Jen, I love how you use maple syrup! I have never heard of this before, but sounds amazing. So cool that you made this at your wedding, what a great idea, I bet your guests loved it.
Remember ‘goody parcels” from an Aunty in Canada as a small child…containing bottles of Maple syrup and I think Aunt Jemima Pancake mix???? been addicted to both ever since. Ski holidays in Vermont meant indulgent breakfasts of said heavenly food….food of the Gods! 🙂
Oh I love that, ‘food of the Gods’ Julie! Sounds like Aunty in Canada sent some amazing, yummy goodies. What a treat to receive those parcels in the mail.Enjoy every minute you can. Thanks for sharing your story.
I love maple syrup and usually buy the amber grade. I use it when I make my granola and have a scrumptious Maple Pecan Scone recipe that uses maple syrup as the only liquid. Of course it tastes just great right out of the can!
Doris, you are a gal after my own heart as I agree completely about the ‘straight out of the can’ approach to maple syrup. Oh yeah, baby. Your scone recipe has my mouth watering though, sounds so yummy. Enjoy.
I love it in coffee and chocolate chili chai tea!! Yum. The first batch my mom would by from local Mennonites was always served with fresh tea biscuits (buttered of course!). Delicious! Enjoy!!!!!
Ooooooooohhh, in tea, love this idea Rhonda! Must try. I shouldn’t read these comments about food and maple syrup when I’m hungry…. ha! Thanks for your visit.
**JACKPOT!** #SlightlyJealous
I know. I know. If I could share I would…. Ha! 🙂
Wow, that should last you awhile! Other than on pancakes (of course!) I love baking with maple syrup. My husband puts a little in his Greek yogurt to give it a little sweetness.
I love this idea of putting it on greek yogurt! Sounds amazing. Might need to try that too. We tend to give quite a bit away, but yes, usually it lasts over the year. Lovely to have you stop by.
Grandpa & Grandma sure were good to you! 🙂 🙂 YUM!
Wendy is gifted! 🙂
Hey there Sydney, Talk about a generous package. I look forward to my annual maple syrup shipment each Spring. Don’t you love Wendy’s style! I bought some christmas cards a few years ago for Grandpa and Grandma that had the syrup can on them. It was perfect for them. Hope you are well.