Ohio Maple History

Maple Products in Ohio

North America is the only place in the world that maple syrup is produced. In the United States there are 12 maple producing states and each year Ohio is ranked 4th or 5th in maple production. The maple industry contributes $5 million to the state's economy each year. In 1840 Ohio was the largest maple producing state, as recorded by the U.S. Agricultural Census.

Some additional interesting facts about Ohio maple:

• Approximately 100,000 gallons are produced each year by 900 producers.
• There is room for growth: Ohio's demand for maple products is currently greater than the state's production.
• During the Civil War, maple sugar was used in the abolitionist in Ohio to protest of cane sugar produced by slave labor in the South.
• Ohio's maple syrup is a “Super Food” that has many health benefits naturally provided by antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.
• The Lifesaver was originally sweetened with Maple Sugar created in Garrettsville, OH.

How did the maple industry get its start? Interestingly, maple production is one of the few agricultural activities not brought to the Americas by European settlers. Native Americans are widely recognized as the first to discover the sweet stuff dripping from broken branches of cuts in the bark. The sweet sap was boiled down in hollowed out logs by placing hot rocks into the sugary solution.