What is maple syrup?

• made from the sap of the maple tree

• added to food or used in cooking

• colour described as

  1

  golden
  

• very

  2

  healthy
   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

  3

  climate
   are in Canada and North America



Early maple sugar producers

• made holes in the tree trunks

• used hot

  4

  rock/rocks
   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

  5

  diameter
   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 is drilled into the trunk and a

  6

  tube
   carries the sap into a bucket.

• Large pans of sap called evaporators are heated by means of a

  7

  fire
  .

• A lot of

  8

  steam
   is produced during the evaporation process.

• ‘Sugar sand’ is removed because it makes the syrup look

  9

  cloudy
   and affects the taste.

• The syrup is ready for use.

• A huge quantity of sap is needed to make a

  10

  litre/liter
   of maple syrup.