Maple Syrup Festival in Mansfield, Ohio

Malabar Farm State Park in Mansfield, Ohio, is the setting for an annual Maple Syrup Festival. This year, it's from noon to 4 p.m. 1, 2, 8 and 9 March. There's no admission charge. There'll be demonstrations of sugaring techniques over the centuries, and a self-guided tour of the sugar camp -- with free samples at the sugar house. Ohio maple syrup, maple walnut fudge, maple cotton candy, maple popcorn and more will be for sale in the Malabar Farm Gift Shop throughout the season.

17th Annual Maple Syrup Festival in Indiana

Yum! Make plans to get to Salem, Indiana, for the 17th annual Maple Syrup Festival at Leane and Michael's Sugarbush on the last weekend in February or the first weekend in March.

The menu stars are pancakes or waffles topped with strawberries or blueberries, ice cream, whipped cream and pure maple syrup (sausages optional) and a chicken or pork chop dinner (the chicken is, of course, barbecued with maple syrup!).

There's lots to buy and take home, too, including maple cotton candy! You can watch the syrup-making, participate in contests (like the log-sawing, pictured), listen to traditional music and ride in a mule-drawn wagon.

The dates for 2008 are 23 and 24 February plus 1 and 2 March (Saturdays and Sundays) from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Remember, that's WINTER in Indiana, so wear warm clothing and sturdy boots!

Leane and Michael's Sugarbush is at 321 North Garrison Hollow Road, Salem, IN 47167. Call 'em -- 812:967-4491 or (toll free) 877:841-8851 -- or send an email. There's more information at their website.

How To Tap Maple Trees and Make Maple Syrup

There's little ambiguity in the "how to" site from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Its bulletin #7036 gives just two paragraphs of history before launching into complete instructions. "A tree should be at least 10 inches in diameter," they caution, "measured at 4-1/2 feet above the ground, before tapping." There's even a bibliography for further reading. Check it out at here.

Festival du Sucre d'Erable

Get ready for a sweet time as French Canadian Traditions head west for the seventh annual Maple Sugar Festival 22-24 February 2008 in Nanaimo, British Colombia. Join local residents and visitors for a five day celebration of music, dance, storytelling, demonstrations, and food sampling at Beban Park. After the opening gala at the Port Theatre, the Francophone Association of Nanaimo will present an array of festivities including school shows, the transformation of Beban Park’s Centennial Building into an old time Sugar Shack, and the opening of the indoor beer garden, reminiscent of the old time “Party du Samedi Soir”. Chamber members, dignitaries, guest speakers and the Quebec Maple Region’s delegation will be in attendance. Enjoy delicious maple sugar products, hot maple toffee and frozen cranberry delight or experience the traditional home made Tourtière meat pie and Poutine. Learn the ancient art of tree tapping; be awed by world famous Ice Carvers demonstrating their incredible talents or sit back and take in the sound of folk and contemporary music from some of Canada’s best performers. It’s a must see, hear and taste experience! Friday (4-9pm), Saturday (9-9pm), Sunday (9-4pm). Admission by donation until 5:30 pm (suggested donation of $2). Check it all out here!

"The Tang of Ginger and the Bite of Pecans..."

There's a hint of fall in the air -- the perfect season to bake a maple syrup cake. Here's a good recipe from The Recipe Corner.

In case you were wondering, Light Muscovado Sugar has a warm honey color and creamy fudge flavor. It's a British term for light brown sugar.

The fungus in my maple syrup

Kathie Hodge writes about an uninvited guest at her morning breakfast in the Cornell Mushroom Blog. "As I poured maple syrup over my son’s waffle, Plop! A perfect dime-sized fungus colony spilled out to crown that waffle like a malevolent pat of butter," she writes.
...
"A fungus that can grow in maple syrup is not your average everyday mold, it’s a xerophile. Xerophiles grow in places that are too dry and hostile for your average fungus. OK, maple syrup is wet, but it’s also extremely high in sugar. All that sugar has the effect of pulling water out of cells, and the vast majority of fungi can’t grow in maple syrup at all."
...
"...[M]aple syrup typically has a water activity of about 0.87 to 0.88, pretty hostile to most molds. Only a few xerophiles can live in it, including our surprise guest, Wallemia sebi."

Real Maple Syrup Pancake Feed

If you're in the vicinity of Hancock, Iowa, on the morning of 18 August, swing by the Botna Bend Park (42926 Mahogany Road) for the annual "Real Maple Syrup Pancake Feed" between 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Back in March, the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation tapped the park's enormous maple trees and boiled down the sap to make this delicious treat. Grilled pancakes will be served with sausage, orange juice and coffee.

Cost? "Free will donations accepted."

There's more here and here, or call 712:741-5465 for more information.