The Kennebec Explorer 2014 Visitor's Guide to Maine's Kennebec Valley | Page 22

What makes the taste of Real Maine Maple Syrup so very, very good? Toasty warm days. Freezing cold nights. More than 100 years of tradition. By Valentine’s Day the trees are just starting to get the message. Though the ground is still frozen and it will be weeks before we start thinking about spring, there is excitement in the air — perfumed with the heady scent of wood smoke and the sweetly aromatic scent of maple sap boilin’ down in the evaporators. For the sugarmakers of the Kennebec Valley, this is the busiest time of the year. We encourage you to learn how it’s made; from tree to bucket to evaporator. And every sugarmaker has stories and tales to tell that make their syrup the best you’ve ever had. Throw off the winter doldrums on the last Sunday in March — officially Maine Maple Sunday — and go out and learn all about that yummy stuff. Then go ahead and pour some on your waffles, pancakes or anything you like. If you really love it, visit Skowhegan during the week leading up to Maine Maple Sunday for their annual Skowhegan Maple Festival. To learn more about the region, visit KennebecValley.org. Fun Fact: Somerset County is the number one producer of maple syrup in the United States, as counties go, with over 1.2 million taps (and growing) each season. Maine Maple Products, Inc. Award-Winningest! Our maple syrup has been selected the BEST for quality, purity and taste by the Maine Dept. of Agriculture 11 of the last 13 years. Judge for yourself. Visit our shop and take home a real taste of Maine. MaineMaple.com 449 Lakewood Rd. (Route 201) - Madison, ME 20 www.KennebecValley.org