Canadian maple farm owner reports international intrigue

‘Maple syrup tourists’ are seeking authentic culinary experiences in Canada, regardless of the season.

That’s according to Derek Elliot, owner of Elliot’s Farm, a ‘hidden’ hub of maple syrup production and home to the Maple Syrup Musem of Ontario.

Speaking to the blogTO media platform, Elliot has noted the heightened interest from overseas visitors; both on- and off-season.

The farmer explained:

“We were getting so many calls from people arriving in Toronto in the middle of the summer saying, ‘Hey, can I come and learn about maple syrup?’.

When informed that the farm’s operations are seasonal (typically from winter to Easter), Elliot said that tourists aren’t perturbed:

“They’re like, ‘Well, we don’t care. We’re from Argentina. We’re from Australia. We’re from the United States. We’re from France.'”

The farm’s Golden Harvest Syrup was named in the World Top 20 of maple syrups by TasteAtlas. A range of 100% pure maple syrup can be tasted at the farm, as part of specially arranged sessions. The farm also derives income from online sales of its product.

Elliot Tree Farm is located in Erin, a secluded part of Ontario, also specialising in Christmas tree production. Its museum is part of the seasonal experiences it offers, featuring story plaques which offer educational narratives about maple syrup production, the maple tree’s relationship with the Indigenous people of Ontario, and its cultural significance.

Admission to the museum is included with the farm’s seasonal experience packages, and no separate ticket is required. Opening times are seasonal.