6 questions to 47° North
with Karen and Zak Hargrove
1. Dear Zak, dear Karen, please tell us something about 47° North. When was the company founded and how has it developed over the years?
South Ridge Maple Co. Ltd. was founded in 2016 — but the craft of maple syrup production has been in the family for three generations. We named our maple syrup 47° North because it is the latitude where our South Ridge Maple Farm is located — in the middle of the wild and pristine Miramichi Highlands.
2. How is 47° North different from other maple syrups?
The maple syrup available in stores is usually a mixture of syrups from many different manufacturers. The problem here is that by mixing the different syrups, the original character and the fine flavors of the individual tree stands and maple syrup farms are completely lost. In our quest for the highest quality, we therefore deliberately opt for 100% single source. We do not add syrups from other farms or falsify our syrup with additives. This is the only way we can guarantee the incomparable purity and clarity of taste.
3. What are the different types of maple syrup and what are they best for?
GOLDEN, fine: This syrup is the first to be produced in the harvest season. It has a golden hue and is delicate in taste. The amount of Golden Syrup that can be produced per season depends heavily on the weather conditions at the start of the sap flow. Golden syrup usually accounts for less than 10 to 15% of the total amount of a harvest in one year. The golden syrup is therefore rarer and therefore more expensive than the other types of syrup.
AMBER, aromatic: Amber maple syrup is the most common type of syrup and is used throughout North America - where most of the world's maple syrup is consumed. Amber maple syrup is usually served with pancakes and crepes.
DARK, strong: This syrup is made later in the maple harvest and has a much more pronounced maple flavor. The dark syrup, which is very popular in Europe in particular, is often used to sweeten drinks or as a substitute for conventional sugar.
VERY DARK, very strong: Because of its chocolaty and smoky notes, the darkest of the four syrups is usually used to bake and season sauces to give them the typical maple flavor. It is therefore also ideal for glazes or marinades.
4. The taste of Canada is for you...
Pure, simple and of high quality
5. If you could invite a special guest to dinner, who would it be? And what Canadian-inspired dish would be served?
A particularly loved one who unfortunately left us too early. We would exchange ideas and share stories from life over breakfast with pancakes, waffles and 47°North maple syrup.
6. What is your favorite way to enjoy 47° North?
On pancakes and waffles.
