Maple Syrup: A Short History of Canada’s Sweetest Obsession

The captivating story behind Canada’s beloved sweet treat

From the quiet beauty of sugar maple forests to the high-tech, high-stakes world of syrup production, this book takes you on a remarkable journey into one of Canada’s most cherished traditions. Led by Peter Kuitenbrouwer, a forester with a deep appreciation for the land, this beautifully illustrated narrative uncovers the rich Indigenous heritage of maple syrup, explores its cultural significance and reveals the complex industry that sustains it today, where vast warehouses store a product so valuable it became the target of the Great Maple Syrup Heist, one of Canada’s most infamous thefts.

Blending history, culture and science in a story that stretches from eastern Canada and into the northeastern US, Maple Syrup stands as a testament to the resilience, communal joy and economic intricacies that define maple syrup, and is the perfect read for anyone who loves Canada, its heritage and the irresistible taste of spring.

PETER KUITENBROUWER is an award-winning journalist, author and a registered professional forester. Born to Dutch parents, Peter grew up in west Quebec and worked for the National Post as a journalist for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Toronto Life, Maclean’s, Chatelaine, Canadian Geographic, The Walrus and newspapers across North America.

In 2019, Peter graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master’s in Forest Conservation. He now manages forests, including his family’s own woodlot in Madoc, Ontario, where they make maple syrup every spring. He is editor of Our Forest, the magazine by the non-profit Forests Canada. He teaches forestry at the University of Toronto and journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University.