Page "Maple syrup" Paragraph 9

Indigenous peoples living in the northeastern part of North America were the first groups known to have produced maple syrup and maple sugar.

According to aboriginal oral traditions, as well as archaeological evidence, maple tree sap was being processed into syrup long before Europeans arrived in the region.

There are no authenticated accounts of how maple syrup production and consumption began, but various legends exist ; one of the most popular involves maple sap being used in place of water to cook venison served to a chief.

Other stories credit the development of maple syrup production to Nanabozho, Glooskap, or the squirrel.

Aboriginal tribes developed rituals around sugar-making, celebrating the Sugar Moon ( the first full moon of spring ) with a Maple Dance.

Many aboriginal dishes replaced the salt traditional in European cuisine with maple sugar or syrup.