Maple Syrup season in Nova Scotia happens every March and April as the sugar maple trees begin to thaw and wake up from their winter sleep. Did you know that not only can you buy locally made Nova Scotian maple syrup all around the province but that you can visit a few of the sugar shacks to see where and how it is made too?
Maple syrup has been made and enjoyed in Nova Scotia for hundreds if not thousands of years.
There are over 100 maple producers in the province, with most of them being small-scale, having under 2,000 taps and a few having anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000+ taps.
Their delicious maple syrup and maple products are available mostly year round however the best time to get them is during maple season. You find many local Nova Scotian maple syrups and products at local farmers markets and grocery stores and you can also visit several of the actual sugar shacks to not only purchase their maple syrup but to see and learn how it is made too.
Many of Nova Scotia’s Maple syrup producers are found in the Cumberland County area of the province and one of the best places to visit is Maple Sugar Lane. Located in Fenwick, NS just outside of Amherst. On Maple Sugar Lane you will find three local maple sugar shacks: Thompsons’ Maple Bud Sugarwoods, Donkins Maple Berry Farm. and Ripley’s Sugarwoods.
During maple season while they are making maple syrup and other items they are open to the public to visit. Stop in and buy some of their products and if they have the time they will show you how it is made as well.
Maple products that you can buy include fresh maple syrup, maple cream and maple butter. All three are made from maple sap and the only difference is the length of time and temperature the sap has been boiled. First comes maple syrup, then after more water burns off it turns into maple cream and then maple butter. You can also find other maple products like Maple BBQ sauce, Maple cones, Maple suckers and more.
If maple season has you craving pancakes then another maple sugar shack that you need to visit is Davison’s Maple Syrup & Pancake House in Halfway River, NS just outside of Parrsborro. Not only are they a maple syrup producer but they also make their own honey, grow wild blueberries and during maple season they operate a pancake house. Open for about 10 weeks of the year during the maple season the restaurant is open Friday evenings as well as Saturdays and Sundays. You can visit and enjoy a stack of pancakes and sausage, their lumberjack breakfast, or even try their maple pulled pork poutine. Their menu also features a maple cream sundae. Yum!
Enjoy maple season while you can!
