The Origin of Maple Taffy
Where Does Maple Taffy Come from?
Maple taffy is a Quebec tradition dating back to the colonization period, when the first inhabitants discovered how to concentrate and heat maple syrup to make this delicious candy, traditionally enjoyed with a stick or simply with a spoon! Indigenous peoples already knew about maple trees and their sap, which was notably used to treat burns and sore throats.
How to Make Maple Taffy at Home?
Behind the name «maple taffy on snow» lies a fairly simple process to obtain this delicious traditional Canadian confectionery. To make it, maple syrup is heated and then poured onto snow. It gains its
Preparation Steps:
- Start by pouring the maple syrup into a saucepan over medium heat and heat until boiling.
- Let it boil for 10 to 15 minutes or until the temperature reaches 115°C (238°F). Check your maple taffy’s temperature regularly.
- Meanwhile, pour clean snow or crushed ice into a rectangular dish, such as a baking dish. Keep the dish in the freezer if the room temperature is too high.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and then pour the contents into the dish of snow, forming small strips.
- Once the maple taffy starts to solidify, you can roll it around a wooden stick to form small lollipops, and enjoy!
Tips for Successfully Making Maple Taffy on Snow
No thermometer? You can use very cold water to test the consistency of your maple taffy. From time to time, pour a few drops of taffy into your glass of very cold water. If it forms droplets, it’s ready to be enjoyed!
There’s a little tip to prevent the maple syrup from overflowing from the saucepan while foaming. You need to bend a small spoon to create a kind of hook to hold it on the inner rim of the saucepan. The inside of the spoon should be perpendicular to the bottom of the saucepan. Fill it halfway with vegetable oil before you start heating your maple syrup.
As it gains temperature, foam will form. When this foam comes into contact with the oil in the spoon, it won’t rise any higher. The taffy can also be stored in a jar. It is then recommended to heat it one degree higher, meaning 115°C instead of 114°C. Once you’ve transferred it to a jar, pour a little cold water over it. This will prevent the taffy from crystallizing and turning into sugar. You can then eat it with a spoon!
Still have some maple taffy left? You can make maple butter or maple sugar with it. Pour what’s left into a bowl and stir it moderately to make maple butter, and longer to make maple sugar.
Want to involve your children? Suggest they collect clean snow and compact it into the dish. Since maple taffy involves handling high-temperature caramel, it’s best that children don’t get close during preparation. However, you can ask them to try rolling the maple taffy onto the sticks.
Today, maple taffy is a staple at sugar shacks and family gatherings in the spring, during maple season. It is usually served on fresh snow, where it sets in a few seconds. It is then enjoyed by rolling it around a stick.
Our Selection of Products for Making Maple Taffy
Want to try making maple taffy on snow? Find the maple syrup you need to make it on our site!
Year-Round Mobile Maple Taffy Activity!
Did you know that thanks to our mobile maple taffy service, it’s now possible to enjoy this delicious treat year-round, wherever you are? Our mobile maple taffy service brings the magic of maple directly to your door, to the delight of your guests. Whether for a school activity, a corporate event or special celebration, or a care facility, our team will be happy to offer you a unique and delicious experience.
Our service is offered all over Quebec year-round, starting from a minimum of 150 bites. We travel with all the necessary equipment; you just have to enjoy our delicious bites! We also have a range of products for sale that we offer during the activity. Contact us now to get a quote.