At the end of winter, when the nights freeze but days warm up a bit, sugar maple trees begin to wake up in preparation for spring. Farmers tap the trees, boiling down their sap for maple syrup. It’s a tradition that’s lasted generations and an industry that’s estimated to be worth more than $1.5 billion,…

This bittersweet dark chocolate granola makes for a decadent breakfast, especially when paired with homemade yogurt. Maple syrup gives the granola a subtle sweetness, while cocoa butter and cacao give it a rich chocolatey flavor balanced by the warmth of cinnamon and cloves. Makes about 8 servings 1 1/2 cups sprouted rolled oats 1 cup…

Maple and stone-ground mustard partner beautifully together, especially in this homemade maple vinaigrette. Amber-colored maple syrup provides just enough sweetness to counter the intense acidity of apple cider vinegar for a smooth, gently sweet dressing. This vinaigrette is particularly nice served over winter and autumn salads of arugula, apples, pears, hazelnuts, and roasted squash. Makes…

Dark maple syrup is a natural match for chocolate, bringing a complex sweetness to this easy sorbet. The result has the creaminess of chocolate ice cream with a much more robust flavor and no dairy. Makes about 1 quart 2 cups water 3/4 cups Grade A dark maple syrup 3/4 cup cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon…

This delightful dad has risen to internet fame after demonstrating the ancient and fascinating process of tapping maple trees for homemade maple syrup in his own backyard. John Driscoll, 35, decided to document his experience with a short video in the hope a few dozen people would find it as cool as he does. After…

Canada’s highest court says one of the men behind the notorious 2012 maple syrup heist in Quebec will have to pay a $9.1-million dollar fine. In a unanimous decision today, the Supreme Court of Canada said Richard Vallières must pay a fine equal to the value of the stolen syrup—not just equal to the profit…

A sure sign of spring is the sight of maple syrup buckets on the sides of sugar maple trees. Early settlers found that Native Americans slashed trees to collect the sap. The sap was gathered into hollowed-out logs. Freezing temperatures caused ice to form, which was removed as pure water, thus concentrating the sap. Hot…

The driveway of my in-laws’ 10-acre farmette is lined with Autumn Blaze Maple trees, which are every bit as stunning as they sound during the fall months. My sister-in-law was married there, in the thick of fall, while all 19 of those maples burned red in the backdrop of the altar. As pretty as they…