I traveled to Canada last month to tour Québec’s Laurentians region — not only was it my first time in Québec, it was my first trip ever to Canada. Living close to our northern neighbor — my flight was 53 minutes — I still cannot believe I haven’t visited sooner. Prior to my trip, I expected to experience plenty of maple products, but it wasn’t until I arrived that I realized how seriously Canadians take their maple syrup!

During my stay we attended a food festival celebrating all things maple. Held at Bois de Belle-Rivière, a regional park, the two-day festival hosted local vendors selling their products and presenting culinary demonstrations. We were lucky enough to attend a VIP tasting tour of the festival. Chefs presented their best dishes highlighting maple syrup in sweet and savory bites. Standouts included duck tartare, fried halloumi and a maple cream puff.

I also sampled a traditional Canadian treat: Maple taffy. The sweet treat is made by pouring hot maple syrup over a block of shaved ice. When the syrup begins to set, you use a popsicle stick to twirl the taffy into a lollipop-like confection. I thoroughly enjoyed the candy as we made our way to the park’s on-site sugar shack. While the name suggests a candy store, a sugar shack is a small building where maple sap is processed. We witnessed demonstrations of traditional and modern methods. I have a much greater appreciation for all the hard work that goes into producing maple syrup. I don’t think I can ever eat grocery store pancake syrup again!

Out of restraint and lack of room in my luggage, I only brought two containers of maple syrup home with me. I hope to visit Canada again before I reach the bottom of the bottles.

— Katie Skrzek, vice president/digital director