Q & A
KEEPING THE HOLIDAYS SWEET Crown Maple syrup comes in avariety of flavors .
FAST FACTS
ABOUT MAPLE CROWN SYRUP
• Trees are tapped in early January so they are ready for the early mid- January or February thaws . Given the historical weather patterns in the Dutchess / Westchester County area , March is expected to be the most productive month .
• Maple sap is harvested during the spring when temperatures are above freezing — ideally , sunny 40-45 degree days with freezing nights . This freeze-thaw cycle is what creates the natural pump effect of “ pushing ” the sap out of the tree .
• On average , maple syrup is produced 35-40 days per year . Typically , the sap season ends early to mid-Aprilwhen the mapletrees bud and the sap takes on abitter taste .
To learn more about the maple syrup process , planaday trip to Crown Maple to take a tour of its facilities and enjoy a sample tasting . Visit crownmaple . com for more information . be placed in a 15-inch diameter tree , and three spouts in a 22-inch tree . It is important to not over-tap a tree , which can lead to excessive damage and ultimately kill it . If a tree is tapped correctly , it will live along and healthy life providing maple sap for generations .
In 2016 , you wrote The Crown Maple Guide to Maple Syrup : How to Tap and Cook with Nature ’ s Original Sweetener . Itcontains awide range of recipes inspired by you and your wife Lydia ’ s home kitchen . Which one is your favorite ? Why ? I have too many favorites to pick one . Generally , anything that calls for a sweetener can be made more special with maple . Desserts , drinks , coffee , teas . But also , maple can make foods and drinks special that don ’ t generally call for a sweetener . Children love vegetables with a slight maple coating .
What would readers be interested to learn about maple syrup that they might not know ? Certainly , if we were judging on flavor alone , maple syrup would have no equal . But there ’ s another strength that maple has among sugars : an unparalleled amount of naturally present nutrients and antioxidants . Additionally , maple syrup is a low glycemic food , naturally glutenfree , non-GMO , and vegan ( since it comes from a plant ). Consumers are also likely to be amazed that Crown Maple syrup is much more than one flavor . Beyond the pure maple grades , Crown Maple presents a unique and distinctive portfolio of maple product including Bourbon Barrel Aged ( the fastest growing maple product in the country ), Madagascar Vanilla Infused , Cinnamon Infused and Applewood Smoked . ■
COURTESY OF CROWN MAPLE
56 HOLIDAY 2017 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE