| The history of Michigan Maple Syrup is nearly | | | | a time-honored tradition in many parts of |
| as old as the land itself. Maple syrup is a | | | | Michigan, and it is as much of an art as a |
| true American food, and the art of making | | | | science. Maple syrup is approximately 33 |
| maple syrup is generally attributed to Native | | | | percent water and 67 percent sugar, and is a |
| Americans. The native population of North | | | | 100 % natural and organic product. Maple |
| America was producing maple products when | | | | syrup is only produced in North America, |
| Europeans first arrived. | | | | since Europe does not have the proper weather |
| | | | conditions conducive to producing meaningful |
| Producing maple syrup is essentially a matter | | | | amounts of sap. Maple syrup is sublime when |
| of concentrating the sugar solution to a | | | | poured over buttermilk pancakes or waffles, |
| predetermined level through evaporation. The | | | | and is considered by many to be the ultimate |
| equipment needed depends on whether you are | | | | natural product. |
| producing maple syrup for home or commercial | | | | |
| use. If you have maple trees in your forest, | | | | We find most people are unaware of the many |
| then you may want to consider producing maple | | | | different uses of maple syrup, other than the |
| syrup from them. Although equipment has been | | | | tried and true 'pancakes and syrup'. Try pure |
| modernized, the basic process of producing | | | | Michigan Maple Syrup on ....grapefruit, hot |
| maple syrup remains the same. As more and | | | | cereal, granola, plain yogurt, winter squash, |
| more people began producing maple syrup, the | | | | or sweet potatoes. Use it as a glaze on meat, |
| technology of doing so improved gradually. It | | | | or poultry and over ice cream for an |
| is a general rule-of-thumb that each tap will | | | | outstanding dessert. For a special treat put |
| yield 10 gallons of sap throughout an | | | | it in coffee, milk or a milkshake. The uses |
| approximate six week season, producing 1 | | | | for maple syrup are never-ending. |
| quart of maple syrup. A large proportion of | | | | |
| the costs of producing maple syrup are in | | | | Maple syrup is one agricultural crop in which |
| fixed overhead, but producing real maple | | | | there is no surplus. Maple syrup is only |
| syrup is worth the effort and the risk; its | | | | produced in North America, since Europe does |
| sweet, rich flavor has never been | | | | not have the proper weather conditions |
| successfully imitated. | | | | conducive to producing meaningful amounts of |
| | | | sap. All maple syrup is not created equal, |
| Pure maple syrup is graded according to | | | | and maple syrup is a source of pride for the |
| Federal USDA regulations, and is based on | | | | state of Michigan. Maple syrup is boiled even |
| both color and flavor. Grading standards are | | | | further to produce Maple cream, sugar and |
| the same for most of the United States. Real | | | | candy and is a natural sweetener with many |
| maple syrup is a pure, natural product with a | | | | health benefits. Fresh maple syrup is truly |
| unique flavor, and is simply the concentrated | | | | one of the first signs of spring. |
| sap of the maple tree. Making maple syrup is | | | | |