Maine Maple Sugaring History
The History of Maple Sugaring and Production in Maine
Maine has a long history of Maple Sugaring going back to the Native American tribes of the Northeast. Up until the 1800’s, Maple sugar was the primary form of sugar used in the United States. Once the sugar cane industry opened in the Caribbean Islands in the 1800’s, Maple syrup became a delicacy. As the demand for local and organic foods has increased, Maple syrup has grown in popularity as an organic and preservative-free option for sweetening. Ask us about ME Maple Producers or share your Maine Maple Sugaring comments. To feature your Maine Maple business, contact us.
History of Maple Sugaring – Maple Syrup Production
A Brief History of Maine Maple Syrup and Sugaring
The first people to make maple sugar were the Native American tribes of the Northeast, who used it as a flavoring for bread, stews, teas, and vegetables. Native Americans also traded maple sugar for other products they needed. The French and English colonists were delighted with the taste of maple sugar, and eventually, they learned the process of making it from the Native Americans. Maple sugar became the principal sweetener in North America. (Native Americans and colonists could not store maple syrup easily, so they used the dry form.) When cane sugar was introduced, New Englanders still preferred maple sugar because it was much cheaper and did not involve West Indian slave labor.
Once a staple of American life, the sweet products of the maple tree are now specialty items. Over the years, the price of cane sugar fell dramatically, and now cane sugar is the variety most Americans use every day. The popularity of Maple syrup keeps New England sugarhouses going. As anyone who has ever tasted it knows, genuine Maple syrup has a taste and texture that the imitations just cannot match. (In Quebec, cheap imitation maple syrup is called “sirop de poteau” or “pole syrup”, suggesting that it was made by tapping telephone poles. We couldn’t agree more.)
Production of Maple Syrup and Maple Sugar
When the weather conditions are right, sugarmakers will head into their stand of trees, usually called maple orchards or sugarbushes, in late February and begin drilling small holes into the trunks of their maple trees. If all goes well, a clear, slightly sweet liquid will slowly drip from the spiles into buckets or into a pipeline that will carry the sap to a central collection point.
The highest quality syrup is made from the freshest and cleanest sap. If not immediately tended, the sap will deteriorate and the resulting syrup will not meet maple connoisseurs’ high standards. Maine sugar shacks house huge evaporator pans fired by wood, oil, or gas to heat the sap to the boiling point. Billows of steam escape through a vent or cupola atop the shack, where the aroma travels on the air for all to enjoy.
It takes long hours and perseverance to produce Maine maple syrup worthy of the name. The boil-down process is especially tedious, continuing for hours in order to eliminate all water content from the sap. Once the boiling process is complete, the delectable golden brew is filtered and packed for distribution to eager consumers around the world. The Maine Department of Agriculture administers stringent quality requirements on the making and selling of Maine maple products.
Changes in Maple Syrup Production Methods
Because maple syrup is a natural product, the process of making it has changed little over the centuries. The main improvements have been in the materials used for collecting and boiling the sap. Native Americans had cut slashes in the trees and collected the sap in containers made of bark or hollowed-out logs. Colonists were concerned that slashing the trees with axes harmed the trees, and they began drilling small holes into the tree and inserting a wooden tube. The tube allowed the sap to flow out.
The process of collecting the sap with buckets was quite time-consuming. Over time, people began to use horses, oxen, or tractors to haul the sap to the sugarhouse. Most modern sugarmakers use plastic tubes to carry the sap from each tree to a central location. Plastic tubes also protect the sap from dirt and bacteria.
New materials have also made the process of boiling the sap more efficient. The Native Americans had used hot rocks to heat the sap. Colonists used wood fires and kettles made of cast iron, a material they had brought with them from Europe. In the late 1800’s, people began using flat-bottomed tin pans instead of iron kettles because they provided more even heat. Recently, many sugarmakers have replaced their wood-fired evaporators with ones that use oil.
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Maine Maple Syrup
- FLAVOR PROFILE: The darker the syrup, the stronger the flavor. Our Grade A Dark Color, Robust Taste maple syrup is the darkest grade available, providing a strong and hearty maple flavor. Great for all around use including table top and cooking.
- FLAVOR PROFILE: The darker the syrup, the stronger the flavor. Our Grade A Dark Color, Robust Taste maple syrup is the darkest grade available, providing a strong and hearty maple flavor. Great for all around use including table top and cooking.
- SUSTAINABLY SOURCED: At Butternut Mountain Farm we are committed to giving you 100% pure Vermont maple syrup. The farmers with whom we work with understand maple and share our commitment to maintaining the health and sustainability of our forests.
- QUALITY STORY: Our pure maple syrup is carefully selected to ensure the product you receive is of the highest quality. With our strict quality standards, we can trace every drop of syrup from farm to table.
- Non Gmo Project Verified
- One (1) 24 fl oz bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's Thick and Rich Sugar Free Pancake Syrup
- Thick and delicious breakfast syrup without sugar perfect for pancakes, waffles and more
- Indulge in rich maple syrup flavor in a sugar free waffle syrup from a brand you know and love
- Great for topping breakfast food like French toast, oatmeal or crispy bacon
- Try this Mrs. Butterworth's syrup in sweet or savory recipes to add a touch of maple flavor without added sugar
- Sweetened with Splenda
- A delicious pairing with Maple Grove pancakes and waffles
- Rich, authentic maple flavor
- Low in calories
- Fat-free
- Ingredients: Water, Sorbitol, Cellulose Gum, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Salt, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate (to Preserve Freshness), Sucralose, Phosphoric Acid, Acesulfame Potassium, Aspartame, Citric Acid. Phenylketonurics: Contains Phenylalanine
- TASTES LIKE REAL MAPLE SYRUP: Enjoy the rich, authentic taste of maple syrup without the sugar. Lakanto’s Maple-Flavored Syrup offers a perfectly smooth, maple-like flavor that makes it an ideal topping for pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, and granola. You can also mix it into beverages like coffee and tea or use it in frostings, marinades, and salad dressings.
- SUGAR FREE AND LOW NET CARBS: Lakanto’s Maple-Flavored Syrup is made with zero sugar and only 2 grams of net carbs per serving, offering a great alternative to traditional syrups. It’s a low calorie, low glycemic option, making it suitable for a variety of lifestyles, including keto and low sugar preferences, without compromising on taste.
- LIFESTYLE FRIENDLY: This syrup is crafted to fit seamlessly into different lifestyles. Whether you're following a ketogenic, vegan, paleo, or gluten free approach, Lakanto Maple Flavored Syrup is a versatile addition to your meals. It’s non GMO, natural, and free from artificial ingredients, making it an easy choice for mindful eating.
- REFRIGERATE AFTER OPENING FOR FRESHNESS: To maintain its optimal flavor and texture, we recommend refrigerating Lakanto’s Maple Flavored Syrup after opening. For the best experience, consume within 90 days of breaking the safety seal. Enjoy fresh, delicious syrup every time, perfectly suited to enhance your favorite dishes.
- EXPLORE OTHER LAKANTO PRODUCTS: Lakanto offers more than just sweeteners! Check out our wide range of sugar alternatives and delicious products, including baking mixes, chocolate, drink mixes, and sweet treats. Whatever your sweet tooth desires, Lakanto has an option that fits your dietary preferences.
- Sugar Free Syrup: Deliciously juicy, our Sugar Free Blackberry syrup tastes like succulent blackberries, without the sugar and the calories; Perfect for coffee and dairy-based drinks our syrups delivers rich flavor, cup after cup
- Craft With Confidence: We specially formulated this syrup to dissolve quickly and easily in hot or cold beverages, and to resist curdling when mixed with dairy, making it a perfect complement to coffee-based drinks
- Broaden Possibilities: For an exceptional flavor experience, simply add to your favorite coffee, hot cocoa, milkshake, snow cone, smoothie, dessert, tea, latte, or sparkling drinks, cocktails, or mocktails
- Pursuit of Perfection: We combine craft, science, and art to provide an amazing palette of flavors that empower drink makers to create their masterpieces with our syrups, sauces, real fruit mixes, beverage blends, and more
- Born To Raise Flavor: From coffeehouse classics to back bar essentials, DaVinci Gourmet products are crafted to create a premium experience for today's beverage creators through innovative flavors and quality ingredients
- Grade A organic amber color maple syrup with a rich taste
- There's nothing quite so good as pure maple syrup
- As the largest packer of pure maple syrup in the country, we go out of our way to provide you with the finest maple syrup possible
- That's why our Grade A maple syrup is renowned for its wonderful flavor, color and consistency
- Each serving of Maple Grove Farms pure maple syrup contains no high fructose corn syrup, fat, sodium or cholesterol
- One 64 fl oz bottle of Log Cabin Original Pancake Syrup
- Rich, delicious pancake and waffle syrup offers a traditional flavor
- This breakfast syrup is easy to squeeze onto a variety of breakfast foods
- Top your pancakes, waffles, French toast, oatmeal and other breakfast favorites with this Log Cabin syrup
- Made with no high fructose corn syrup and no artificial flavors
- Certified Organic/Kosher
- Packaging may slightly vary from the above image.
- Deep Rich Flavor
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- Pure Maple Syrup is perfect for adding to pancakes, yogurt, ice cream, oatmeal, recipes and more.
- TASTE, SMELL, & CONSISTENCY JUST LIKE MAPLE SYRUP. We challenge you to tell the difference between Wholesome Yum sugar-free maple syrup and real maple syrup in your own blind taste test. It's sweet, aromatic, thick, and sticky like the real thing, with NO AFTERTASTE. You don’t have to miss maple syrup anymore!
- SUGAR-FREE & KETO FRIENDLY. With only 20 calories and 2g net carbs per serving, our natural keto pancake syrup has very low glycemic impact and won't spike blood sugar.
- NATURALLY SWEETENED & FLAVORED. Wholesome Yum sugar free syrup is naturally sweetened with Besti (our popular natural monk fruit allulose blend sweetener in liquid form, without water or thickeners) and naturally flavored with real maple. NO artificial ingredients!
- GREAT FOR YOUR HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. Low carb, gluten-free, paleo, diabetic friendly, tooth friendly, tummy friendly (no erythritol or sugar alcohols), Non-GMO Project certified, and just plain delicious. It’s a keto maple syrup, but also perfect for anyone wanting to reduce sugar intake!
- SO MANY WAYS TO USE IT. Use Wholesome Yum low carb maple syrup anywhere you would use real maple syrup. Enjoy it as a sugar free pancake syrup for breakfast, stir it into drinks, or in your favorite recipes, including desserts, sauces, glazes, dressings, marinades, and baking.
- A splash will do: Elevate your drinks and recipes with a splash of our expertly blended lavender syrup, delivering a delightful layered flavor and sweetness that's truly captivating.
- Pure ingredients: Expertly blended using whole French lavender and organic cane sugar to create better-tasting beverage mixers that the whole family can enjoy.
- Versatile mixer: Elevate your mixology skills with this lavender syrup, perfect for creating delicious seltzers or craft cocktails, which are sure to impress your guests.
- Culinary delight: Lavender syrup isn't limited to drinks; explore its culinary versatility by using it in baked goods, dressings, marinades, desserts, and more!
- Committed to execellence: We're dedicated to crafting exceptional products with a focus on quality and sustainability. Trust in our commitment to quality and enjoy a new level of beverage and culinary craftsmanship with Portland Syrups.
Maine Maple Products
- Wild-Caught Sockeye Salmon smoked in Maine
- Smoked with a unique blend of Maine fruitwoods and hardwoods
- Kosher Certified
- Ready-to-eat; Convenient everyday meal solution
- Try in a sandwich, wrap, classic bagel with cream cheese, salad or pasta!
- FLAVOR PROFILE: Our Grade A Amber Color Rich Taste syrup provides a naturally sweet, rich and smooth taste. A pronounced maple flavor makes Amber Rich maple syrup a favorite for table and all around use.
- SUSTAINABLY SOURCED: At Butternut Mountain Farm we are committed to giving you 100% pure Vermont maple syrup. The farmers with whom we work with understand maple and share our commitment to maintaining the health and sustainability of our forests.
- QUALITY STORY: Our pure maple syrup is carefully selected to ensure the product you receive is of the highest quality. With our strict quality standards, we can trace every drop of syrup from farm to table.
- PACKAGING BENEFITS: Easy-open, easy-pour, jugs are tamper-evident with an inner seal. They ship well, so they make excellent gifts. Syrup stored in BPA-free plastic jugs retains its natural flavor better than in traditional tin containers.
- OTHER USES: Use in coffee/tea, cocktails or over cereal, fruit, yogurt or pudding. Add to baked beans, apple pies, pickles and stir fries. Makes a delicious marinade or sauce. Great as a gift.
- Blueberry Syrup: Enjoy the ripe, fresh-picked taste of blueberries in every drop with DaVinci Gourmet Classic Blueberry Syrup.
- Naturally Sweet: Our blueberry syrup contains real blueberry juice and is sweetened with pure cane sugar for the perfect balance of sweetness and taste.
- Bring home authentic coffeeshop flavor with DaVinci Gourmet Classic Blueberry Syrup; Mix into your morning coffee, blend into smoothies, top desserts and more; Our versatile syrups add flavor to your beverage and culinary creations
- From coffeehouse classics to back bar essentials, wellness-oriented to trend-forward, DaVinci Gourmet syrups are crafted to create a premium experience for today's beverage creators through innovative flavors and quality ingredients
- DaVinci Gourmet was born out of Seattle’s coffee culture in 1989 and is driven by a passion for crafting exceptional flavors that stir emotion and invigorate guests; We were born to raise flavor
- ALL NATURAL PRODUCT OF INDIA - NO salt, NO MSG, NO GMO, NO artificial flavoring or preservatives. All of our Jiva Organic spices do not use any chemical treatments.
- Also known as Trigonella foenum-graecum, methi seeds are a very popular spice that is used in both cooking, teas, and even some natural health remedies.
- Fenugreek seeds are often use as part of a natural hair care routine as well!
- PERFECT COOKING INGREDIENT - Cook fenugreek sprouts or use this herb as flavorful seasoning for curry, sambar, and other Indian, Meditariannean, and Pakistani dishes. Use this aromatic spice for tea blends, dry rubs, and vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free recipes as well.
- PACKAGED TO PRESERVE QUALITY- This high-purity USDA certified product is completely sealed to preserve the fragrant aroma, great taste, and freshness
- You will receive (1) 2-cubic foot bag of potting soil per purchase.
- Amended with soil microbes that improve root efficiency and convert nutrients into a form that plants can utilize, enhancing fruit and flower production.
- Designed for container plants, indoor or outdoor. Whether you need a boost in your fruits, vegetables, flowers, or houseplants - Happy Frog will jump-start your containers!
- This unique mix is alive with beneficial soil microbes and mycorrhizal fungi that dramatically expands root development.
- A blend of 50-60% aged forest products, sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and fertilizer. Derived from earthworm castings, oyster shell and dolomite lime.
- REAL WORLD OF FLAVOR: Blueberry Real Infused Exotics is infused with premium Golftraube Blueberries from the Pacific Northwest
- SQUEEZABLE: No messy cans or difficulty storing unused portions. The wide-mouth bottle opening helps to eliminate waste by allowing easy access with a bar spoon or spatula, and volcano-shaped spout allows for drip-free mixing
- FRESHNESS GUARANTEED: Developed specifically to remain uniform with very minimal product separation with built-in oxygen barrier to guarantee product freshness
- NOT JUST FOR DRINKS: Excellent in culinary applications such as baking and desserts. Perfect for experimenting with molecular gastronomy concepts like fruit foam or caviar
- Immune System Support – Packed with L-Lysine (an essential amino acid) to bolster your cat’s immune defenses. A stronger immune system helps keep your kitty healthier and more resistant to common feline illnesses, giving them the best chance at a long, happy life.
- Respiratory & Eye Health – Formulated to support clear breathing and overall wellness in cats. Felisyl’s immune-boosting action helps ease sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes associated with common respiratory issues, so your cat can breathe easy and stay comfortable every day.
- Tasty, Easy-to-Give Gel – Highly palatable salmon-flavored gel that cats love, making supplement time feel like a treat. No more struggles with pills – simply place the gel on your cat’s paw or nose and they’ll lick it off willingly, ensuring stress-free daily dosing.
- Vet-Formulated & Trusted – Developed by veterinarians for optimal feline health benefits. Felisyl is also vet-recommended, trusted by vets for its proven benefits and positive impact on cats’ lives. Pet parents can feel confident knowing this immune support gel is backed by experts and real results.
- NASC Certified Quality, Made in USA – Manufactured to the highest quality and safety standards set by the National Animal Supplement Council. Felisyl carries the NASC Quality Seal and is proudly made in the USA, so you can trust you’re giving your cat a safe, premium-grade supplement for their well-being.
- CERTIFIED ORGANIC: By Vermont Organic Farmers LLC (VOF). Guaranteeing you and your family a healthier product, sourced from local organic Vermont Farms. Not only better for you, but also better for the land and Tastes Great! VOF certification also guarantees you a non-GMO syrup.
- AMBER COLOR WITH RICH FLAVOR: Full of characteristic maple flavor, this syrup is equally as good over waffles as it is in salad dressings, cocktails, or in a maple-sweetened barbecue sauce. If you're only going to have one grade of Vermont maple syrup in your kitchen, make it Amber Color with Rich Flavor.
- HANDCRAFTED VERMONT SYRUP: All of our syrup comes from organic family farms in Vermont.
- BPA FREE PLASTIC JUGS: These sturdy plastic jugs are BPA free, providing you a safe and convenient package.
- CERTIFIED KOSHER
- Lion's Mane Mushroom: Lion’s Mane is native to large parts of Asia, Europe, and North America. Lion’s Mane Mushroom is a large, white shaggy mushroom that looks like a lion’s mane and grows on broadleaf trees.
- Multiple Benefits: Long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the edible Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) Mushroom is known for its brain health properties. Its nervine and nootropic properties may support cognitive health and function.
- Vegan Formula: Per Serving (0.5 mL): Organic Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) Mushroom. Other Ingredients: Organic Glycerin, Purified Water. Our Organic Glycerin is derived from Rapeseed, a yellow flowering plant in the mustard family Brassicaceae.
- Easy-to-Take Liquid Drops: USDA Organic Lion's Mane can be taken directly by mouth or added to water. Shake well before use. Take up to 15 drops (0.5 mL) 1 to 3 times a day, or as recommended by a physician or healthcare professional. Each bottle comes with 60 servings.
- Free of Common Allergens: USDA Organic, Non-GMO, Vegan, Made in a GMP Facility. Dairy Free, Nut Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Sugar Free, No Synthetic or Artificial Colors, Alcohol Free Tincture. B Corp Certified.
- Sugar Free Syrup: Deliciously juicy, our Sugar Free Blackberry syrup tastes like succulent blackberries, without the sugar and the calories; Perfect for coffee and dairy-based drinks our syrups delivers rich flavor, cup after cup
- Craft With Confidence: We specially formulated this syrup to dissolve quickly and easily in hot or cold beverages, and to resist curdling when mixed with dairy, making it a perfect complement to coffee-based drinks
- Broaden Possibilities: For an exceptional flavor experience, simply add to your favorite coffee, hot cocoa, milkshake, snow cone, smoothie, dessert, tea, latte, or sparkling drinks, cocktails, or mocktails
- Pursuit of Perfection: We combine craft, science, and art to provide an amazing palette of flavors that empower drink makers to create their masterpieces with our syrups, sauces, real fruit mixes, beverage blends, and more
- Born To Raise Flavor: From coffeehouse classics to back bar essentials, DaVinci Gourmet products are crafted to create a premium experience for today's beverage creators through innovative flavors and quality ingredients
Maine Maple Producers by Region
Discover Maine Maple Producers by region. Aroostook, Downeast, Katahdin, Kennebec, Lakes, Mid-Coast, Portland and South-Coast.
Aroostook ME Maple Producers
Fort Kent, Houlton, Presque Isle
Downeast & Acadia ME Maple Producers
Bar Harbor, Blue Hill, Deer Isle, Eastport, Lubec, Cherryfield, Machias
Katahdin & Moosehead ME Maple Producers
Bangor, Brewer, Greenville, Lincoln, Millinocket, Orono
Kennebec & Moose River ME Maple Producers
Augusta, Skowhegan, Waterville, The Forks
Lakes & Mountains ME Maple Producers
Auburn, Lewiston, Norway, Bethel, Farmington, Naples
Midcoast ME Maple Producers
Bath, Boothbay Harbor, Camden, Rockland, Brunswick, Belfast, Searsport
Greater Portland ME Maple Producers
Portland, Freeport, Yarmouth, Westbrook, Cape Elizabeth
South Coastal Maine Maple Producers
Biddeford, Kennebunk, Kittery, Ogunquit, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Wells, York
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