Maple Ridge Farm
Maple Ridge Farm has been providing maple syrup to customers at the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market for 11 years. It’s a family run business that includes Russell and Abby Miners, Russell’s parents and brothers as well as Russell and Abby’s five boys: Ray, Jamie, Carson, Kyle and Collin.
The sap is collected during the spring when the sap flows from the roots, where it is stored for the winter, to the top branches to help feed the tree. There must be freezing temperatures at night, from -3 to -5 degrees, and a thawing temperature by day, around +3 to +8 degrees.
After the sap is collected, it is filtered twice before it is boiled to make syrup. To determine sap to syrup, they measure the Brix (density of sugar content) to maintain their volunteer inspection program through the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association. To get a Seal of Quality, the Brix level of their maple syrup must be between 66.5 percent to 67.5 percent. This lessens the risk of mold and sugar crystals.
Syrup is stored in stainless steel barrels until required. Then they open and filter again and again to 185 degrees F to kill any bacteria. The sap from a 140 litre barrel is bottled a barrel at a time, then brought to market to sell.
From the syrup, Abby also sells value-added products: maple butter, granulated maple syrup, sugared maple leaves and a new product: maple ice cream topping.
Maple Ridge Farm is located at Kemble, Ontario, north of Owen Sound. Large & Specialty Orders welcomed by calling 519-376-7907.
Abby or one or two of the boys are there to serve you at the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market, Saturday morning from 7 to 12:30 noon.
MAPLE RIDGE FARMS
Kemble, ON
519-376-7907.
We welcome your feedback. Please email your comments to us at manager@owensoundfarmersmarket.ca.
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