Maple syrup

GLS - Innovation Timeline

  • 500 BCE

    Indigenous & Fist Nations

    Indigenous & Fist Nations
    Maple syrup was first collected by the indigenous and First Nations in North America more specifically Southeastern Canada and Northeastern United States, where the maple Belt is located.
  • 1540

    Jacques Cartier

    Jacques Cartier
    Jacques Cartier first observed maple trees in North America while exploring the St. Lawrence River
  • Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson
    Thomas Jefferson started a maple plantation at Monticello
  • The First Evaporator

    The First Evaporator
    The first evaporator which was used to heat and concentrate sap was patented.
  • Producers Change

    Producers Change
    Producers changed the bottom of the bucket to have different sections or more accurately known as flues to spread out the heat better which helped reduce sap boiling time. Some companies added a separate birch evaporator as well.
  • Using Plastic Tubes

    Using Plastic Tubes
    They had started to use plastic tubes so that sap from the trees would go directly to the evaporator instead of using buckets making the process longer. They had also added vacuum pumps to the plastic tubes and the pre-heaters were then designed to collect heat lost in the steam to be recycled and used again.
  • Maple Syrup Today

    Maple Syrup Today
    As of 2017 Canada produces over 71% of maple syrup worldwide. 91% of which comes from Quebec. There are over 8,600 maple syrup businesses in provinces like Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Many people use maple syrup in their daily lives when it comes to breakfast foods or just indulging in the maple goodness which is known to be truly Canadian.