Origins
What Indigenous group is known for early maple syrup traditions?
The Ojibwe people
What was one of the medicinal uses of maple syrup by Indigenous people?
It was used as a sweetener and anesthetic for bitter medicines
What effect does climate change have on the maple sugaring season?
It causes an earlier and sometimes shorter season
What percentage of maple syrup is present in Pearl Milling pancake syrup?
None! 0%
How did Indigenous communities first collect maple sap?
By cutting a "V" shape into trees and collecting the sap in birch baskets
How did Indigenous people fulfill their promise to the trees after collecting sap?
They gathered in a longhouse and drank syrup from cups in gratitude
Why is modern maple syrup production more expensive than before?
Producers need to collect and boil more sap due to lower sugar content.
How many gallons of sap does it take to make one gallon of maple syrup?
About 40 gallons of sap!
What method did Indigenous people use to turn sap into sugar?
They used hot stones to evaporate the water, leaving maple sugar
What is the significance of the "sugar moon" in maple traditions?
It marks the time when sap begins to run in early spring.
What is a cheaper and more available syrup option that affects maple syrup consumption today?
Pancake syrup!
What U.S. state produces the most maple syrup?
Vermont! It produces more than half of the country’s maple syrup.
What European trade item helped shift maple production to syrup-making?
Iron kettles from French traders
What is maple sap called in the Mohawk language?
Orontekari.
How has technology changed modern maple syrup production?
Many producers use vacuum tubing systems instead of buckets to collect sap more efficiently.
What is the process of collecting sap from trees called?
Tapping! A small hole is drilled into the tree, and a spout is inserted to collect sap.