can of maple syrup
image courtesy of en.wikipedia.org…

In our area one of the sure signs of spring is the ‘running of the sap’…Here are a few truths about the ‘liquid gold’ it’s made into from MentalFloss.com…

• Most maple trees only yield 5-to-15 gallons of sap per season.
• It takes roughly 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon (about 4 L) of maple syrup.
• High-quality maple syrup is composed, at minimum, of 66% sugar.
• Sap-gathering pumps have replaced traditional taps and buckets throughout North America.
• The International Maple Syrup Institute was founded in 1975 to promote and protect pure maple syrup and other maple syrup products.
• 80% of the world’s supply comes from Canada, two-thirds of it from the province of Québec.
• Canada’s grading system includes 4 hue-related categories: Extra Light (AA), Light (A), Medium (B), #2 Amber (C), and #3 Dark (D).
• Fake maple syrup contains fructose, corn syrup, cellulose gum, and caramel coloring.

Don’t forget the Kiwanis Club’s Pancake Breakfasts start this weekend at the Sugar Shack on 5th line…