According to the Quebec Federation of Maple Syrup Producers, 77% of the world's maple syrup is produced right here, in the province of Quebec. But a huge chunk of it is also gobbled up, right here. And to anyone who has ever tasted maple anything, can you honestly blame us?
Maple Taffy and Snow - The Urban Sugar Shack
Sugaring off is a cultural rite-of-passage in Montreal. A short-lived season that varies every year, somewhere from late February to early May, perhaps the best known activity, apart from visiting a sugar shack, is eating hot maple taffy off fresh snow. Urban sugar shack stands start appearing in town around early March near Mont-Royal Metro, the Jean-Talon Market and other select locations around the city. And while they soothe urgent maple cravings, they also bring up the nostalgia for an authentic Montreal sugar shack or cabane à sucre experience.
A Traditional Sugar Shack Experience
Let's face it, the real sugaring off happens outside Montreal, in the 200 or so sugar shacks spread over the province of Quebec. From sleigh rides to learning how maple syrup is made to checking out sugar shack mini-farms, there's plenty to do before stuffing up on the pièce de résistance, the all-you-can-eat maple-drenched dinner. Take these seven sugar shacks one hour from Montreal; they offer everything from a traditional sugar shack experience to bingo nights and massage.
For anyone new to Montreal and the very concept of offing sugar, here's a breakdown of what you can expect at your first sugar shack meal:
- pea soup
- baked beans in maple syrup
- tourtière (if you're lucky)
- country style sausages in maple syrup
- maple smoked ham
- "oreilles de crisse" ("crisse," a truly versatile curse word, translates here into either "damn ears" or "Christ's ears," but they're actually pork rinds)
- oven baked omelettes
- eggs cooked in maple syrup
- potatoes
- cretons
- sweet pickles
- pancakes
- sugar pie
- pouding chômeur (or "unemployed person's pudding," a deliciously simple cake baked with maple syrup or brown sugar)
