Maple Syrup Operation in Chatham-Kent Wins Industry Of The Month Award
Canada is well known for its production of Maple Syrup and its by-products. Producing maple syrup is a long standing Canadian Tradition. What you may not be aware of is that Chatham-Kent according to Don and Jean Giffin, owners of Giffin Maple Syrup Products near Blenheim is that the soil in Chatham-Kent is ideal for growing good hardwood maples. The flavor of the syrup from these hardwoods is superior because of the deep rich soil and the micro-climate of Chatham-Kent. That winning combination provides superior conditions for maple syrup production.
The Giffin Maple Syrup Operation near Blenheim recently won the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce Award for Industry of the Month. The Giffins started farming in 1973 with Don's parents. They started the Maple Syrup operation in 1980 and today have 2800 taps in their 50 acre maple bush. 
The are regarded as leaders in the Industry and the farm has earned several awards for their hard work and innovations. They were named 1997-1998 World Champions in Maple Syrup. One of their unique innovation techniques is a steam pan operating with high pressure steam that guards against burning and improves the quality of the product. Their latest successful innovation is a reverse osmosis unit that removes 70 to 80 % of the water from the sap to greatly reduce the cooking time and the amount of wood needed. "Less wood cutting, less wood preparation, less firing time and better quality product because the quicker you can go from sap to syrup, the better quality you have." says Don.
Jean is in charge of the canning and development of the by-products. She has developed the knowledge and skill to make maple candy, maple butter, maple jelly, maple stirred sugar and maple candy floss.
Yum! I am already planning a trip out there to try some of those goodies myself. Jean is also the author of a maple syrup cookbook called " Simply Made Cookbook" which features 280 maple syrup recipes.
Visitors from around the world have visited the farm located near Blenheim in Chatham-Kent and I for one, think it is great that the Chatham-Kent Chamber Of Commerce named them Industry Of The Month. They were presented with the award at their farm on April 10.
Another example of the many divers amentities that Chatham-Kent has to offer. It is the ideal location to live, work, raise a family, retire to, or visit. Call me, Wayne Liddy 519-436-4810 Royal LePage Peifer Realty Inc. Brokerage for all your Real estate needs and visit my website for Chatham-Kent Events and Happenings.
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