Maple Syrup is Good For What Ails You

Well, we know it, but it's nice to have the scientific research to back up our anecdotal evidence that maple syrup is a health food.

According to the website of the George Mateljan Foundation, "Maple syrup is sweet - and we're not just talking flavor. Maple syrup, as an excellent source of manganese and a good source of zinc, can also be sweet for your health."

Besides, the site reports, "Maple syrup is not a commonly allergenic food and is not known to contain measurable amounts of goitrogens, oxalates, or purines."

The George Mateljan Foundation is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide unbiased scientific information about how nutrient-rich "World's Healthiest Foods" can promote health and energy.

What gene sequencing means to you – and maple syrup

It may seem counter-intuitive, but the strategies for sequencing human genomes have application to (of all things) maple syrup production. You can read all about it here.

This is merely an excerpt of the "Science Friction" column by Stephen Strauss:
"The generalized warming that Canada — and particularly the major syrup producing regions of Quebec — have experienced already seems to have shortened the sugaring-off season by several days in some areas....
"The logical thing to do would be to begin to plant stands of new maple trees in a line heading northward — but at the same time, try to apply scientific agriculture to the replanting....
"But to do this one would need a large base of genetic research already looking for these traits in maples. This doesn't exist....
"Moreover, what better way of saying that this country takes the need to adapt to climate change seriously than to initiate a genome mapping project on the literally iconic maple tree and its potentially endangered sap?"

"Treasure from the Sugar Shack"

"...[M]aple syrup was the only sweetener known on this continent until honeybees were introduced into the colonies in the 1630s."

Read more about the history of maple syrup at New York Folklore.

There's a recipe for Maple Johnnycake there, too.

Maple Bacon Cupcakes with Maple Frosting!

I was going to adapt this recipe for this site, but -- it's so kick-ass I didn't want to change a word.

Go here and get ready to make the most mind-blowing cupcakes ever!