Temple’s Maple Syrup

Local maple syrup is a stable for us at The Granary. Used as a sweetener in baking or a table condiment for breakfast, Maple syrup is a delicious local option. Not only does the local maple industry provide numerous jobs, it also protects and manages the local forests. Well managed forests are a key part of carbon capture and climate change management.

In addition to Maple Syrup we also sell Temple's Maple Sugar and Maple Candies.

The Temples's  sugar bush, located in Lanark County  is 70 acres is size and contains approximately 5,000 taps. The property was clear cut for fire wood in the 1940’s. The regeneration which followed would have included a variety of species such as ash, elm, basswood, hickory, birch, butternut, cherry and, of course, maple.  Through the 1960’s and 70’s the bush became a demonstration wood lot, with the assistance of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, to show the value of proper sugar bush management and thinning techniques. Not only does Temples Sugar Bush produce maple products, they also run a full service restaurant and event facility. For a lovely day trip check out their walking trails and facilities.

How it's Made

It takes about 40 litres of maple sap to make one litre of maple syrup. It generally takes about 40 litres of maple sap to make one litre of maple syrup but the ratio varies depending on the sweetness of the sap.  The sap is concentrated into syrup by boiling water off as steam in modern stainless steel vats called evaporators to make a safe, high quality food product. Pure Maple Products are 100% natural with the only ingredient being maple sap. Other pure maple products can be made from maple syrup simply by boiling it down further, and in some cases cooling and/or stirring, such as maple butter, maple sugar, and maple taffy on snow.

Pure maple syrup contains a variety of vitamins and minerals that promote good health, including many B Vitamins, calcium, magnesium and manganese as well as free- radical fighting antioxidants.

Grading

Grading of pure maple syrup is based on colour and flavour. The lighter the colour, the milder and more delicate the flavour.  The darker the colour, the richer and stronger the flavour. People tend to choice their grade of syrup based on how it will be used. Amber has a rich, full-bodied but not overpowering flavour. Dark or very dark maple syrups have a robust taste and tend to be used for cooking purposes. All grades of maple syrup are the same thickness and sweetness. For optimum freshness, maple syrup should be stored in the fridge or freezer.