Maple Syrup

When people think of Canada, maple syrup may be one of the first things they think of. Yes, we produce a lot of maple syrup.  70 percent of the maple syrup produced globally comes from Canada, with the majority of that coming from Quebec. This sweet liquid is rich with tradition - it's part of our history, culture, and identity.

Where It All Begins: The Maple Tree

Canada is home to millions of maple trees, especially in Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Every spring, when the days get a little warmer and the nights are still chilly, the sap starts to flow. That’s when maple syrup producers head into the sugar bush with their buckets, taps, and tubes, ready to collect the clear, watery sap that drips from the trees.

It takes about 40 litres of sap to make just one litre of syrup. The sap is gently boiled down until it thickens and turns that beautiful amber colour we all know and love. No additives, no tricks—just nature, patience, and tradition.

A Canadian Tradition

Long before European settlers arrived, Indigenous peoples, in what is now Canada, were already harvesting maple sap and turning it into syrup and sugar. They used birch bark containers, hot rocks, and simple tools to gather and process the sap. These early methods were passed down through generations and influenced how settlers would eventually make syrup themselves.

Photo by Alain Bonnardeaux on Unsplash

Over time, this seasonal practice grew into a cherished tradition across Eastern Canada, particularly in Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Even today, many families still head out to the sugar bush every spring, gathering sap the old-fashioned way and boiling it over open fires.

A Global Powerhouse 

 Canada produces more than 70% of the world’s maple syrup, and Quebec alone accounts for about 90% of that. It's a huge industry, and one that's tightly regulated to protect both the quality of the syrup and the sustainability of maple forests. The maple syrup industry contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the Canadian economy. 

Here's a fun fact:  there’s  a strategic reserve managed by the Quebec Maple Syrup Producers. It’s sometimes jokingly called Canada’s “sweet vault,” and it helps keep the supply steady and prices stable, especially in years when weather conditions affect sap flow.

And that reserve brings us to one of the most fascinating stories in Canadian food history...

The Great Maple Syrup Heist

Between 2011 and 2012, thieves managed to steal nearly 3,000 tonnes of maple syrup (worth more than $18 million) from a storage facility in Saint-Louis-de-Blandford, Quebec. They siphoned syrup from barrels and replaced it with water, gradually sneaking the stolen syrup into the black market.

It sounds like something out of a comedy film, but it was very real, and very serious. After a year-long investigation, police arrested dozens of people connected to what became known as The Great Maple Syrup Heist. The story made headlines around the world, adding a strange but entertaining chapter to Canada’s maple syrup legacy.

Maple syrup is a big part Canada. It started with Indigenous traditions  and grew into a yearly springtime ritual and a billion dollar industry. All from the sap of a tree! Whether you’re out in the sugar bush or just enjoying it on your pancakes, maple syrup is a sweet reminder of who we are and where we come from.