Canadian Maple Candy: The Great Taste Behind the Leaf
Canadian maple candy can be anything that's made from Canadian maple syrup, but it can also be a variety of candies that are a big part of Canada's kitchen and culture.
Canada produces over 85% of the world's maple syrup, and that amount is worth over $165,000,000 and is shipped to over 45 countries. Most of the maple syrup comes from the province of Quebec, but maple sugaring is popular all over Canada, with about 10,500 maple syrup producers in the country. With all that maple syrup, maple candy is a popular confection.
A distinctly Canadian variety of maple candy is called "maple taffy", or "sugar on snow". In the French-speaking areas of Canada, it's known as tire d'érable. This is made by boiling the maple syrup until it becomes thick and viscous, and then pouring it on clean snow. If the syrup rolls off the snow instead of beginning to cool down, then the consistency is too thin and needs to be cooked for longer to thicken up more.
Also very popular is maple syrup fudge. This is similar to chocolate fudge, in that it is usually made with cream, butter, and sugar. Unlike other types of maple candies, maple fudge will still turn out well if things like nuts are added.
The truest kind of Canadian maple candy may be the most well-known—pure maple sugar candy. All you need is pure maple syrup, and maybe some silicone maple leaf baking molds, and you have everything for a traditional Canadian maple candy treat.
