I realize this is a risky admission, living in the heart of Ohio’s maple syrup country, but I prefer the fake stuff. Bring me a bottle of maple-flavored corn syrup, preferably Mrs. Butterworth’s, and I’m good to go.
Real maple syrup is too sweet and runny for my taste, but I suspect I’m in the minority, especially among my Geauga and Portage county neighbors.
Regardless of your syrup preference, there’s still time to catch the last of March’s pancake breakfasts throughout Northeast Ohio, a reliable harbinger of spring. Plus, you won’t want to miss the 100th annual Geauga County Maple Festival, April 23-26 in Chardon.
Parades, grandstand entertainment, amusement rides, a lumberjack competition and more are planned for the weekend. Find a list of events at maplefestival.com.
Maple syrup facts from the Chardon-based Ohio Maple Producers Association
- Abolitionists used maple syrup in place of cane sugar to protest slavery
- 35-45 gallons of sap = 1 gallon of syrup
- Depending on the year, Ohio is ranked 4th or 5th in the nation for maple syrup production
- Lifesavers, invented by a Garrettsville man, were originally flavored with maple syrup
