Sugar shack

In late March and early April, as the snow melts and spring begins, a uniquely Canadian event begins in eastern Canada.* It's called the cabane à sucre or the sugar shack, and it's the process of collecting the sap of the maple tree and turning it into many delicious treats - maple syrup, maple sugar, and maple taffy, to name just a few.


The sap is collected in buckets, which are transported to the sugar shack. The sap is then boiled until it thickens into maple syrup. It takes about 40 litres of maple sap to make just one litre of maple syrup!


The so-called "sugaring off" is also a great occasion to celebrate! While the sap boils, family and friends gather to enjoy a big meal. A highlight of the meal is dessert; the boiling sap is poured onto the cold snow, where it solidifies into maple taffy!


If you happen to be in eastern Canada during sugar shack season, there are many sugar shacks which offer tours to the public. You can enjoy traditional French-Canadian food and beverages while you wait to taste fresh, delicious maple syrup!


*Canada produces more than 80% of the world's maple syrup supply (26.5 million litres in 2005), but there are also maple syrup producers in the northeastern United States.