The identity of the person who discovered how to make maple syrup is lost to history (most likely it was passed on to European settlers by the Indians), but according to the extension website, in 1663, English chemist Robert Boyle told colleagues in Europe, “There is in some parts of New England a kind of tree whose juice that weeps out its incision, if it is permitted slowly to exhale away the superfluous moisture, doth congeal into a sweet and saccharin substance.”

While there is no better substance known to man for pouring over pancakes and waffles, maple syrup also makes a wonderful topping for ice cream, an ingredient in many delicious sauces such as barbecue sauce, and an alternative sweetener in baked goods and baked beans. Plus, there’s maple candy. You can make your own maple candy by boiling down syrup—and you don’t even have to make the syrup yourself.

HELPFUL SITE

• extension.umaine.edu/publications/7036e/ mainemapleproducers.com/maine-maple-sunday-map.html