Why exactly maple leaf won a place on the Canadian flag

There are many beautiful trees and animals in Canada, but it was the maple leaf that was chosen as the national symbol and placed on the national flag. What is the reason for such an unusual love of Canadians for this seemingly unremarkable tree?

Maple sap is extracted, as well as birch sap, in early spring, when sap flow begins in trees. The best time for this is March, since it is believed that March maple juice is the sweetest. Juice is extracted from sugar, red, black and acutifolia species of maple. To collect juice in the bark of the tree, several holes are made into which the tubes are inserted. According to them, maple juice flows into a collection vessel.

To obtain sweet maple syrup, the juice is evaporated, but without the addition of sugar. This is a rather lengthy process, since the juice itself is 96% water. After evaporation, a thick, sweet syrup of a dark color is obtained. On average, from 40 liters of juice after evaporation, about 1 liter of syrup is obtained.

Maple syrup is one of Canadians' favorite treats. It is served on a table with waffles and pancakes, added to many desserts or used in the preparation of other dishes.

Watch the video: The real story behind the Canadian Flag (May 2024).