Maple sugar

Maple sugar is a delightful and traditional sweetener originating from Canada and the northeastern United States. It is derived from the sap of sugar maple trees, which is boiled down until it becomes a solid sugar composed of approximately 90% sucrose, with the remainder being glucose and fructose. Typically, you can find it sold in pressed blocks or as translucent candy. However, crafting maple sugar demands considerable skill to prevent the sap from burning during the boiling process.

In Canada, there are specific regulations requiring that maple sugar products clearly display the business identity and country of origin on their retail labels.

Maple sugar boasts a rich history. It was highly valued by the First Nations and American Indian peoples because it was easy to transport and had a long shelf life. The Anishinaabeg people even have a unique name for it: "ziinzibaakwad."

The history of maple sugar in trade spans many years. As early as 1631, ships such as the "Blessing of the Bay" were transporting maple sugar from the Massachusetts Bay Colony to New Amsterdam. The French were also acquainted with maple sugar production, as evidenced by various artistic works from the 18th century.