Sweet Treats and Maple Syrup, Sources of National Pride in Canada

If Canada were to be summarized by a single flavour, it would undoubtedly be maple syrup. Sweet, golden, with a subtle smokiness… It gives flavour to both desserts and savoury dishes, and in itself embodies an entire way of life.

Maple Syrup, Canada’s Liquid Gold

Long before the arrival of European settlers, Indigenous peoples were already harvesting the sap of maple trees to make syrup. In the 17th century, French settlers adopted the technique and refined the production process.

Today, more than 90% of Canadian maple syrup comes from the province of Quebec, and Canada alone accounts for around 70% of global production.

It is used in everything: on crepes and pancakes, in marinades, desserts, candies, maple butter, and even spirits.

Canadian Desserts to Discover

Canadian desserts are simple and very sweet, inherited from a time when sugar and butter were symbols of prosperity.

The butter tart, a small tart made with butter, syrup, and egg, originated in Ontario in the early 20th century and has become a Canadian classic.

There are also pies inspired by the United States, such as pumpkin, pecan, and blueberry pies.

As for BeaverTails, they were invented in the 1970s by an Ontario family. The name of the dessert comes from the elongated shape of the fried dough. They are topped with sugar, chocolate, cinnamon, or whatever else you fancy. Rest assured, no actual beavers are involved in the making of these treats!

The Sugar Shack Tradition

Every spring, between March and April, it’s maple season!

Quebecois gather at sugar shacks, located in maple groves, to share a traditional meal featuring maple-based products: split pea soup, ham, baked beans, pork rind chips, doughnuts, etc.

The meal often ends with the famous maple taffy, made by pouring hot maple syrup onto snow and rolling it onto a stick. An essential Canadian tradition.