A sure sign of spring in Kawarthas Northumberland is the tapping of maple trees. We’ve gathered the best in maple from the region just for you!
To many Canadians, sap buckets and tubing slung between trees are as much a sign of spring as melting snow and birdsong. Harvest season generally runs the beginning of March to mid-April, depending on the weather. Ontario Maple Weekend is the first weekend in April, where maple producers show how maple syrup is made.
Visit a Kawarthas Northumberland sugar bush and you’ll be treated to a hearty helping of local flavour and culture. Spring’s not the only time to enjoy the taste of the region, though—our resorts, restaurants, and food shops work closely with producers to make the most of maple syrup year round. From delicious baked goods to entrées with just a hint of sweetness, we’ve tapped into the best local businesses have to offer.
Kawarthas Northumberland is covered in picturesque agricultural land and home to proud farmers rooted with generations of experience. Here farm-to-table isn’t a buzz phrase, it’s a way of life. Local restaurants and resorts take special care to source local and fresh ingredients from the region for you to enjoy, including locally produced liquid gold—maple syrup!
See what’s on tap at local restaurants, bars and cafes for some maple-inspired drinks. For those with a sweet tooth, well-known ice cream producers such as Kawartha Dairy and Central Smith are both located in the region, or you can try maple-flavoured butter tarts on the Butter Tart Tour.
Below are just a few examples of maple products and menu items found in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland.
by Cake by the Lake, Bobcaygeon
by Elmhirst's Resort, Keene
by Centre & Main, Warkworth
by Central Smith, Selwyn
by The Dockside Bistro, Campbellford
by The Publican House, Peterborough
There are lots of ways to see the influence of local sugar bushes in the cuisine found in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Try out the Brews, Bites and Barns Brewery Route in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, or discover the many cafes in Peterborough and the Kawarthas serving maple sweets with your coffee.
Want to make it a weekend? Elmhirst’s Resort prepares excellent maple cuisine in-house. You can also browse places to stay here.
See here for even more suggestions in Peterborough & the Kawarthas.
Kawartha Lakes has many craft breweries that tap into the sweetness of maple to make the most mouthwatering seasonal brews. It’s also home to the Kawartha Dairy headquarters, and the quirky Quaker Oaks Farm Store, which offers a wide variety of local products.
If you’re staying overnight, Bobcaygeon Inn and The Royal Moose Pub is a charming cottage country destination. You can find more accommodations options here.
You’ll find artfully designed cocktails and signature seasonal brews with maple flavours in Northumberland’s many trendy night spots and boutique restaurants. In Warkworth you’ll find Sandy Flat Sugar Bush, one of the areas most popular maple-themed attractions. Check out the baking trail in Northumberland where there are 20 must-go sweet-stops.
If you’re planning on staying in the region, Ste. Anne’s Spa is a luxurious and relaxing destination. Find more places to stay here.
See here for even more suggestions in Northumberland County.
Farms such as McLean’s Berry Farm, The Roost, and Sandy Flats Sugar Bush have offered fun and interactive maple syrup festivals with activities for the whole family. However, if attending events isn’t possible, there are still some options to learn about the syrup-making process. Some farms such as Red Mill Maple Syrup offer private tours. This farm experience is only offered during harvest season and allows you to learn the tapping process and experience the farm.
You can pick up sweet samples at farm stands, farmers markets and local shops throughout the region. Check out the Maple Map below to discover all the maple producers in Kawarthas Northumberland or click on one of the links below to discover your next maple adventure.
The Kawarthas Northumberland blog is the place to go for longer stories and additional recommendations. Browse the articles below to find out more about maple in the region.
Check the shelves in a grocery store on either side of the country, and you’ll find plenty of foods that taste exactly the same as they do here in Ontario. So many experiences these days are standardized for consistency, it’s a real thrill to find something uniquely tied to a place and a community. That’s
With spring comes maple syrup, and Kawarthas Northumberland is packed with ways to celebrate the season. Keep an eye out for our local producers at grocers and farmer’s markets throughout the region, but to really experience local maple syrup at its freshest and finest you need to go straight to the source. Here are five
To many Canadians, sap buckets and tubing slung between trees are as much a sign of spring as melting snow and birdsong. In my household last year’s supply of maple syrup has usually run dry by the time March rolls around, and we start looking forward to the next harvest. This year my wife & son & I refilled our stores at the Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival, and took in the weekend’s attractions while we were at it.