Maple syrup

What is maple syrup?

●   made from the sap of the maple tree

●   added to food or used in cooking

●   colour described as

●   very    compared to refined sugar

The maple tree

●   has many species

●   needs sunny days and cool nights

●   maple leaf has been on the Canadian flag since 1964

●   needs moist soil but does not need fertiliser as well

●   best growing conditions and    are in Canada and North America

Early maple sugar producers

●   made holes in the tree trunks

●   used hot    to heat the sap

●   used tree bark to make containers for collection

●   sweetened food and drink with sugar

Today`s maple syrup

The trees

●   Tree trunks may not have the correct    until they have been growing for 40 years.

●   The changing temperature and movement of water within the tree produces the sap.

The production

●   A tap drilled into the trunk and a    carries the sap into a bucket.

●   Large pans of sap called evaporators are heated by means of a   .

●   A lot of   is produced during the evaporation process.

●   `Sugar sand` is removed because it makes the syrup look   and affects the taste.

●   The syrup is ready for use.

●   A huge quantity of sap is needed to make a   of maple syrup.