Maple syrup trivia

• Maple syrup and maple sugar are rich in potassium, calcium and iron, and are fat free.

• Maple season lasts four to six weeks between March and April, depending on the weather.

• Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States.

• It takes four maple trees, at least 40 years old, to yield enough sap over six weeks to produce one gallon of maple syrup.

• It takes 35 to 40 gallons of maple sap to produce one gallon of syrup.

• Imitation maple syrup is mostly corn syrup, containing 2 to 3 percent of real maple syrup.

• Sugar on snow is a traditional Vermont dish in which freshly boiled syrup is poured on late winter snow, creating a taffy-like consistency. It is traditionally eaten with a sour pickle to offset the sweet maple flavor.

Source: chefs and students of the New England Culinary Institute