There are many ways to get a taste of this sweet Ontario treat, including taking part in local events as part of Ontario's Maple Weekend in the first weekend of April.
In York Region, Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festivals are taking place at Bruce’s Mill Conservation at 3291 Stouffville Rd. in Whitchurch-Stouffville and at the Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr. in Woodbridge. You can enjoy demonstrations, wagon rides, family activities and, of course, pancakes slathered in real maple syrup!
"Tapping maple trees is a tradition for more than 3,000 farmers across the province who spend fall and winter preparing the trees for sap collection," said Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, in a news release. "I invite you to visit a sugar house to learn about the care and passion with which our farmers produce the very finest maple syrup."
In 2018, Ontario's maple syrup production experienced growth due to a longer season, with more than 2.1 million litres garnering more than $25 million in product sales.
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario is ranked the second largest producer of maple syrup in the country; Canada produces 80 per cent of the world’s maple syrup.
- More than 3,000 maple farms across the province are celebrating harvest season with festivals and events across the province until late April.
- Maple syrup, made from the sap of primarily sugar, red, soft and black maple trees, is a natural product with no additives and is a source of vitamins and minerals.
- Warm days and freezing nights make sap flow from trees. It takes 40 to 45 litres of maple sap to make one litre of maple syrup.
