Perhaps the most iconic symbol of Canada is the maple leaf which comes from the tree that produces...you guessed it Canada's sweet treat, maple syrup! Made by boiling maple sap down, one litre (4 cups) of this sweet syrup demands 40 litres (400 cups) of sap. Enjoyed on pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, ice cream, and so many other foods, maple syrup is truly a Canadian favourite. The Province of Quebec is the largest producer of maple syrup responsible for producing 70% of the world's supply! Fun fact right there!
With a population of just under 12,000, Elmira, Ontario is one of Canada’s smaller towns - and perhaps one of the most famous. Each year Elmira hosts the largest festival in the world honouring the sweet stuff and it takes more than 2000 volunteers to make it happen! As you approach Elmira (from any direction) the roads are lined with Mennonites selling homemade maple syrup, maple candies, and maple sugar. The main street is shut down completely; everyone parks on the outskirts of town and enjoys a hayride in. If all you know is table syrup, you’re in for a real treat!
Of course, with all this talk of maple syrup we just had to buy one from our local farm, Reesor's Farm Market in Stouffville, Ontario to give away to one lucky reader!
We're also couldn't help one of these sugar maple candies from jumping in to the shopping cart too! Sharing the sweet Canadian love!
Maple syrup, maple candy, loonie and toonie oh my! For an opportunity to win this hour's prizes be sure to leave a comment below by July 7th and we will randomly select one lucky winner this hour to win them! After leaving your comment here we hope you'll take a moment to visit us on Facebook and Instagram (@sctmagazine) and leave a comment there as well for THREE chances to win! We'll be compiling all the comments each hour!
Let's talk Canada's blooms and music next hour!
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Fun Fact: Canada consumes the most doughnuts and has the most doughnut shops per capita of any country in the world.
Mmmmn maple goodness! Thanks for a chance to win!
Posted by: Tara | July 01, 2017 at 03:08 PM
MMMM, pancakes, waffles, donuts and maple syrup! Oh wait, don't forget Maple Kisses!
Posted by: Jen Naus | July 01, 2017 at 03:09 PM
I have been very fortunate to try both, the syrup and the candy. Mt daughter visited Ontario and Quebec in her sophomore year to practice french and brought me some. Truly a divine marriage between nature and man.
Posted by: Diana Martinez | July 01, 2017 at 03:10 PM
I introduced an East Indian lady to maple syrup. Her on,y question: what else could she do with it other than pancakes. It was a huge hit :)
Posted by: CatherineC | July 01, 2017 at 03:11 PM
Elmira festival is great day out
Posted by: Marg Gutland | July 01, 2017 at 03:14 PM
Yup, I remember helping to make a ton of syrup when I was a child. I had to stay away from the boiling syrup tho' so I wouldn't get burned.
Thanks for all the great memories!
Happy Birthday Canada!
Posted by: Lynn Gauthier | July 01, 2017 at 03:16 PM
Mmmm....real maple syrup. There is no comparison when it comes to the real stuff. It is awesome poured on oatmeal in the morning. Use toast or homemade bread to sop some up off a puddle on your plate. Brush it on a piece of fried salmon for a real treat for supper time.
Making me very hungry just thinking about it.
Thanks for sharing! :D
Posted by: auntie em | July 01, 2017 at 03:18 PM
We love maple everything here! We once tap our tree, oh my boiling down the sap is a big process!
Posted by: super stick chick | July 01, 2017 at 03:20 PM
When we were in Alberta, maple syrup was a treat. Now that we're in Ontario, it's a necessity!
Posted by: Beth Anne Thomas | July 01, 2017 at 03:21 PM
Love maple syrup and not just on my pancakes.
Posted by: Kara | July 01, 2017 at 03:22 PM
One of my favourite maple treats is when they pour the warm syrup over snow and then you put a popsicle stick in it to make a taffy type treat on a stick
Posted by: Kristen Kirkland | July 01, 2017 at 03:24 PM
Since my mom and dad lived in Onslow County, North Carolina, they were invited to Canada years ago to celebrate the Centennial of Quyon, Onslow, and they brought me some syrup and maple leaf candy. Oh my, were they ever good!! Happy Birthday, Canada!
Posted by: Sara Thomas | July 01, 2017 at 03:25 PM
I always love trying local treats. These look yummy!
Posted by: Amy Cooley | July 01, 2017 at 03:26 PM
Sweet prize! There is nothing better than Canadian made Maple Syrup and candies! Oh except maybe winning some!
Posted by: Karen Carvell | July 01, 2017 at 03:29 PM
Spring wouldn't be Spring without a visit to a maple bush
Posted by: Pat M | July 01, 2017 at 03:51 PM
Love, love, love maple syrup, so delicious! I am enjoying your Canada 150 celebration so much! I"m also learning lots of little fun facts and tidbits - had no idea about the donuts - wowzers!
Posted by: Karen T. | July 01, 2017 at 03:54 PM
Need to get myself to Elmira!
Posted by: Janice | July 01, 2017 at 04:01 PM
I've been to several maple syrup festivals, but never the one in Elmira. Maybe next year. I LOVE maple syrup, especially when it's laid on snow and hardened into a sucker. Thanks for all the cool Canada facts. I'm learning a couple things about my country. :)
Posted by: Jess S. | July 01, 2017 at 04:04 PM
Who doesn't love maple syrup?!?!? Sundays, holidays, and birthdays are pancake days.
Posted by: lisa808 | July 01, 2017 at 04:12 PM
Maple syrup and Maple candies are a sure way to my heart melt! I can't remember the last time I had either of these sweet treats and would be crying with utter joy if I was to see that this was on its way to me! I might share just a little of it but it would be hoarded like the true liquid gold that it is! Yummy! TFS!
Posted by: Barb macaskill | July 01, 2017 at 04:12 PM
I love anything maple flavoured ... drooling at the thought of all the delicious foods enhanced by maple! Would love to win this hour' prize - thanks, eh?!!!
Posted by: Amber M. | July 01, 2017 at 04:15 PM
Yummy maple syrup. I love just about maple anything.
Posted by: Janet MacKay | July 01, 2017 at 04:16 PM
We sent our exchange student back home to Switzerland with a few cans of maple syrup. After they enjoyed eating it they contacted us asking how they could make some maple syrup 😀.
Love, love, love maple syrup
Posted by: Dee Brown | July 01, 2017 at 04:23 PM
Yummy! Nothing better than Canadian maple syrup. On everything :o)
Posted by: Judy | July 01, 2017 at 04:23 PM
YUMMMMMMM!
Posted by: Sheryll Matheson | July 01, 2017 at 04:24 PM