7 Things You Didn't Know About Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is far more exciting than just dressing for pancakes and waffles.

Maple syrup is far more exciting than just dressing for pancakes and waffles. From early support from a founding father to a major heist, in honor of National Maple Syrup Day, here are eight facts you didn’t know about nature’s sweet stuff.

1. It Takes 40 Gallons Of Sap To Make One Gallon of Maple Syrup

There’s a reason maple syrup comes with a hefty price tag. It takes a whopping 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.

Sap straight from the tree is 98% water and has to be boiled to 219 degrees (F) to become that signature delicious golden syrup.

2. Native Americans Were The First To Discover Maple Syrup

moremaple5 — Did they also invent the phrase, “tap that?” Photo: @tapmytrees / Instagram

It’s not clear how long the practice of tapping trees for syrup has been in practice, but historians do agree that Native Americans were the first to discover maple syrup. Native Americans made V-shaped incisions on the bark of maple trees and collected the sap in birch buckets before heating it with hot stones.

When European settlers arrived, Native Americans had begun cooking the sap in clay pots over a fire. The colonists took the process one step further with the addition of copper and iron kettles, which allowed the sap to be boiled for a longer time at an even higher temperature, resulting in something closer to the syrup we know today.

3. Benjamin Franklin Was A Huge Fan Of Maple Syrup

moremaple1 — Clearly, he was a badass. Photo: @doscarg / Instagram

One of maple syrup’s earliest advocates was American founding father, Benjamin Franklin. As a huge proponent of the bounty that American soil had to offer, he actively campaigned for maple syrup to become colonial America’s primary sweetener to help us become a more independent nation.

4. There Is An International Maple Syrup Institute In Canada

moremaple2 — Because of course there is. Photo: @mbernais / Instagram

It’s no secret, Canadians are crazy about all things maple related. The maple leaf is on their flag, after all, and they produce 71% of the world’s syrup. There’s even an International Maple Syrup Institute based in Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1975, the Institute’s mission is to protect and promote maple syrup and other maple products. Tough gig.

5. South Koreans Prefer Sap Over Syrup

moremaple6 — Yummy. Photo: @gdichasaz / Instagram

While North Americans are all about syrup, in South Korea, sap is more sought after. For centuries villagers have been drinking the sap or *gorosoe*, which translates to, “good for the bones”. Gorosoe’s popularity has been on the rise as Koreans and tourists alike have been using the sweet sap as a cleanse to eliminate toxins from their body. For those who truly wish to detox, villagers recommend drinking 5 gallons of sap in one sitting.

**6. Maple Syrup Will Last Years If Left Unopened**

But it will make your pancakes soggy quickly, so once it’s unleashed, hurry up and eat! Photo: @greatertick / Instagram

moremaple7 — Yummy. Photo: @gdichasaz / Instagram

While North Americans are all about syrup, in South Korea, sap is more sought after. For centuries villagers have been drinking the sap or *gorosoe*, which translates to, “good for the bones”. Gorosoe’s popularity has been on the rise as Koreans and tourists alike have been using the sweet sap as a cleanse to eliminate toxins from their body. For those who truly wish to detox, villagers recommend drinking 5 gallons of sap in one sitting.

**6. Maple Syrup Will Last Years If Left Unopened**

But it will make your pancakes soggy quickly, so once it’s unleashed, hurry up and eat! Photo: @greatertick / Instagram

Honey wins the prize for having an infinite expiration date, but maple syrup isn’t far behind. Maple syrup will last for years left unopened, and once opened, upwards of 6 months before crystallization occurs. Crystallization is harmless, however, and disappears once the syrup gets reheated.

7. Maple Syrup Was At The Center Of One Of The Biggest Agricultural Heists In History

moremaple4 — It’s like stealing candy from a baby. Or something. Photo: @lemonjenny / Instagram

In 2012, Michel Gauvreau was tasked with counting all the barrels of syrup at the Global Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve, which manages 75% of the world’s maple syrup supply. Gauvreau quickly discovered that nearly 1,000 barrels, worth a cool $18 million dollars, were empty.

Over the next year, numerous arrests were made in association with the heist, and eventually two-thirds of the supply got returned to the rightful owners.

**8. Pancake Syrup Has No Maple Syrup**

Quit trying to fool the children, Mrs. Butterworth! Photo: @therealyktmv206 / Instagram

moremaple9 — It’s like stealing candy from a baby. Or something. Photo: @lemonjenny / Instagram

In 2012, Michel Gauvreau was tasked with counting all the barrels of syrup at the Global Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve, which manages 75% of the world’s maple syrup supply. Gauvreau quickly discovered that nearly 1,000 barrels, worth a cool $18 million dollars, were empty.

Over the next year, numerous arrests were made in association with the heist, and eventually two-thirds of the supply got returned to the rightful owners.

**8. Pancake Syrup Has No Maple Syrup**

Quit trying to fool the children, Mrs. Butterworth! Photo: @therealyktmv206 / Instagram

Don’t let maple syrup substitutes try to fool you with their caramel color. Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butterworth’s are prime examples that looks can be deceiving. These impersonators get made with high fructose corn syrup and a long list of preservatives – there’s not a drop of real syrup in sight.