North America is the only place in the world where maple syrup is produced. Among the nation’s 12 mape-producing states, Ohio is typically ranked fourth or fifth in production.
The maple industry contributes around $5 million to the state’s economy each year.
Some additional interesting facts about Ohio maple:
- Approximately 100,000 gallons are produced each year by 900 producers.
- There is room for growth: Ohio’s demand for maple products is currently greater than the state’s production.
- During the Civil War, maple sugar was used by abolitionists in Ohio to protest cane sugar produced by slave labor in the South.
- Ohio’s maple syrup is a “Super Food” that has many health benefits naturally provided by antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
- The Lifesaver was originally sweetened with Maple Sugar created in Garrettsville, OH.
Maple production is one of the few agricultural activities not brought to the Americas by European settlers.
Native Americans are widely recognized as the first to discover the sweet stuff dripping from broken branches of cuts in the bark. The sweet sap was boiled down in hollowed out logs by placing hot rocks into the sugary solution.
For more information about maple production in Ohio, visit the Ohio Maple Producers Association website.
