Maple Syrup
Mother Nature’s Best Natural Sweetener?
Need a topping for pancakes, French toast, waffles, grapefruit, hot cereal, granola, plain yogurt, squash, sweet potatoes, vegetables, ice cream, in milk shakes, or for glazing meats? How about Pure Maple Syrup! Not only is maple syrup unique to our area of the continent, stretching as far south as Kentucky and north into Quebec, studies in March 2010 have now found antioxidant compounds not known to previously exist in syrup that shows that maple syrup can be good for you. Further study is being conducted, but the research funded by the Conseil pour le développement de l'agriculture du Québec (CDAQ) in conjunction with the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers conducted by renowned American researcher Navindra Seeram at the University of Rhode Island discovered maple syrup compounds to include anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, and anti-diabetic properties that represent the first indication that compounds in syrup can have real physiological benefits to our health. The other major discovery was the substantial presence of abscisic acid, a phytohormone that functions in stimulating insulin and therefore acts as a potent deterrent to metabolic syndrome and diabetes. What does this mean to you? Perhaps it’s time to expand the usage of Maple Syrup in your diet. Enter Classic Provisions.
Classic Provisions offers Maple Syrup from 2 local makers:
LeMire’s Pure Maple Syrup
Jeremiah LeMire began a family tradition in 1890 when he and his family tapped 300 trees in Aitkin, MN. The sap was collected by hand in anything that didn’t leak and then family and friends helped make maple syrup in a wood fired kettle.
That tradition as been passed down through the generations and continues to this day by George and Sonja LeMire. George learned the art of syrup making from his father Cyril while helping him harvest the sap since he was a young boy. Although they have updated the equipment and now tap well over 3500 maple trees, the flavor and quality of rich, amber colored syrup making remain the same.
Today, LeMire’s Pure Maple Syrup is one of the state’s five largest producers and employs dozens of local Aitkin County residents. The new facility is inspected by the state of Minnesota and continues to produce the same great tasting Maple Syrup as Jerry enjoyed over a century ago.
Anderson’s Pure Maple Syrup
Anderson’s Maple Syrup, Inc. in Cumberland, WI is a third-generation, family-owned and operated business having provided quality pure maple syrup and other syrup products since its humble beginnings over 80 years ago. In the 1930’s, Paul Anderson turned his hobby of syrup-making into a business with the help of his son, Norman. In 1953, they also began selling Maple Syrup making equipment for Leader Evaporator Company which served dual purposes: 1) It gave eager producers a local place to purchase their supplies and 2) It provided Paul and Norman with a network for producers that they would later purchase finished maple syrup from. This network is alive and growing. The Anderson’s now purchases bulk maple syrup from over 200 local producers.
Today, Paul’s grandson Steven carries on the Anderson tradition which has evolved with the production equipment side of the business. Because Anderson’s Maple Syrup Inc. is involved in nearly all aspects of ensuring not only the quality of their Maple Syrup but the standards of maple syrup and maple syrup making, consumers can rest assured of their commitment to a higher standard of quality.
Anderson's Maple Syrup, Inc. is proud to be a charter member of the International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI). The IMSI is an organization of maple syrup related businessmen and women, private parties, and state and provincial delegates that work together to maintain the integrity of Pure Maple Syrup for all. They also watch for any illegal or questionable activities in the Maple Syrup industry. When you purchase Maple Syrup with the IMSI logo on it you can be sure that you are purchasing Pure Quality Maple Syrup. This is Anderson's Family promise as well as that of the IMSI. Anderson Maple Syrup Inc. is also involved in the Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers, the Minnesota Maple Syrup Producers Association, as well as the North American Maple Syrup Producers Council.