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