It’s maple syrup time in the Outaouais!
The days are getting longer, the sun is getting stronger and the temperature is inching up a few degrees every day. We remain cautious, but it seems that spring is on its way. And it won’t show up empty-handed: it comes with its faithful sidekick, maple syrup! We invite you to discover how to enjoy maple in all its forms in the Outaouais.
Maple in liquid form
Maple syrup is produced from maple water, i.e., maple sap, which is collected from the maple trees. Delicately scented and slightly sweet, it’s a pure delight in its natural state. It has many health benefits and is increasingly used by chefs.
Once it’s been boiled down in the sugar shacks of the Outaouais, maple water is transformed into syrup. There’s a good reason it’s popularly known in Quebec as “blond gold”: it takes an average of 40 litres of maple water to produce 1 litre of syrup! As the sugaring season progresses, the sap/syrup develops a stronger taste and a darker colour. There are four grades of maple syrup: golden, amber, dark and very dark. As with wine, everyone has their personal preference.
Maple syrup can also be festive! The Érablière Bo-Sirop produces Le Grand-Remous, a maple mistelle with 18% alcohol content; L’entaille, a maple wine (12% alcohol); and L’Agrérable, a maple and haskap rosé.
Maple in solid form
You can create many delicacies using maple syrup! The great classics are maple butter, maple sugar, and of course, the ever-popular maple taffy. Many sugar shacks and maple groves in the region sell these products online and in stores, so you can extend your enjoyment for a few weeks (or days—we’re not judging).
And that’s not all: maple is found in practically every dish traditionally served at the sugar shack. The Ma cabane à la maison (“My Sugar Shack at Home”) project allows you to order a complete sugar shack meal from one of the participating sugar shacks in the Outaouais region—such as, Érablière St-Germain, Érablière J.B. Caron and Domaine de l’Ange-Gardien—and enjoy it in the comfort of your home!
And if you want to enjoy the full experience, the sugar shacks will gladly welcome you on site! We guarantee that you will leave with a full stomach!
Maple in a box
Croquez l’Outaouais is at it again with a 100% Local Box – Everything Maple, featuring ten maple products! It includes delicious locally produced maple syrup, as well as original maple-based delicacies such as a maple & balsamic vinaigrette or maple popcorn. Aromatherapy lovers will appreciate the handmade vanilla maple soap. Order your box soon, as quantities are limited.
Several pickup points throughout the region.
Available until March 29.
$65.00 + tax.
An event to honor maple
On March 31st, Tourisme Outaouais and the Érablière St-Germain welcome you for a very special event: La Soirée sucrée (“a sweet night out”)!
During this festive evening, guest chef Nicolas Lacroix from Le Rituel, accompanied by Véronique Lortie Bourgeois from the Érablière St-Germain, will be at the head of the sugar shack to offer you a 4-course gastronomic meal where maple will be honored. The signature cocktail of the evening will be made from the maple liqueur of the Artist in Residence distillery in Gatineau.
Throughout the evening, you will even be enjoying live music from the band La Tuque Bleue! Hurry, tickets are limited!
562 Doherty Rd., L'Ange-Gardien
March 31st | There are two sittings: 5 to 7 p.m. and 8 to 10 p.m.
$50
The excitement of the sugaring-off season wouldn’t be complete without adding an outdoor experience to your day! How about a snowy adventure at Arbraska Laflèche or a dogsled ride?
