Which state produces the most maple syrup?
Quick answer
Vermont produces the most maple syrup in the United States, typically about half of the US total, or roughly 2 to 3 million gallons a year. Worldwide, though, Canada, especially the province of Quebec, produces far more, about 70% of the world’s maple syrup.
Top maple syrup states
| Rank | State |
|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont |
| 2 | New York |
| 3 | Maine |
| 4 | Wisconsin |
| 5 | New Hampshire / Michigan |
Production changes each year with the weather. A good season needs freezing nights and above-freezing days in late winter and early spring.
How maple syrup is made
- Tapping: In late winter, producers drill small holes in sugar maple trees and insert spouts.
- Collecting sap: Clear, slightly sweet sap flows into buckets or tubing networks.
- Boiling: The sap is boiled in an evaporator at a “sugarhouse” to remove water.
- Finishing: It’s filtered and graded by color and flavor.
It takes about 40 liters (or gallons) of sap to make 1 of syrup, which is why real maple syrup is expensive.
Maple syrup grades
| Grade (US/Canada) | Taste |
|---|---|
| Golden, delicate | Light, mild |
| Amber, rich | Classic flavor |
| Dark, robust | Stronger |
| Very dark, strong | Best for cooking |
Canada and the “Great Maple Syrup Heist”
Quebec keeps a strategic reserve of maple syrup to stabilize prices. In 2011–2012, thieves stole about 3,000 tonnes of syrup worth millions of dollars from a reserve warehouse, one of the most unusual thefts in Canadian history.
Maine, the only state with a one-syllable name, is another top producer. Need a spoonful measured? See how many ounces are in a cup.
Still curious?
Jump to a random question from the archive.