Maple Water, Another Natural Way to Hydrate
Sugaring off is the first outdoor agricultural activity of the year that signals the arrival of spring. It always evokes happy memories of walking through the maple grove, drinking from the maple water pails, life in the sugar shack, making maple syrup, and the ultimate in taffy on the snow to sweeten your mouth.
It is during the summer that the maple tree creates its precious sugar through photosynthesis. This sugar allows the cellular respiration of the tree which favors its growth and which accumulates in its roots as a starch reserve.5
Maple water: first of all, the sugar maple tree
The sugar maple is a member of the aceraceae family. Its habitat is found all along the Appalachian chain, from the south of the St. Lawrence River to Maine, in the United States. It grows in moist, cool, but sunny and well-drained forests. It enjoys the company of species such as ash, hickory, basswood or ostrich.
The sugar maple can grow up to 35 m tall and live up to 200 years. Its wood is hard, heavy and has a pale yellow color. There are more than 150 species of maple trees in the world. However, only the sugar maple and the red maple provide us with the maple sap, or maple water, essential for the production of maple syrup.7
A little history...
The natives used to make their spears and picks with this hard wood. In times of famine, they ground the inner bark into powder and used it as flour. Long before the arrival of the first settlers, they discovered the nutritional value of young shoots and maple seeds, and the gustatory qualities of maple water.7
The time of sugars
In spring, the alternation of freezing and thawing between night and day causes the maple water to flow. For example, a difference of -8°C at night and +8°C during the day is ideal.
Sap is drawn to the top of the trees when the branches most exposed to the cold freeze. As the temperature rises above the freezing point (about 5°C), the sap becomes liquid again and flows down the tree by gravity.
Find out more: Our recipe for spring risotto with maple water
The sap of trees circulates for about six to eight weeks from the beginning of March. This sap provides the tree with the energy it needs to grow. Since the spring harvest takes only 5% of its sugar reserves, the tree will keep everything it needs to stay healthy.
Quebec supplies 70% of the world's maple syrup, hundreds of millions of liters each year.4
Maple water and its benefits
Maple water is mainly used to produce maple syrup, but there is a new attraction, that of hydrating with maple water. This water is now taking an important place on the market, because beyond its unique taste, it has health benefits.
Maple water contains many nutrients such as minerals (manganese, calcium, iron, copper), amino acids (for the regulation of metabolic processes), electrolytes (for hydration), phenolic compounds and flavonoids known for their powerful antioxidant effect.3, 4
In the precious liquid, researchers from Laval University have identified a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that they have named 'Québécol'.6
Medicinal properties attributed to maple sap include Alkalizing, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, laxative, nutritive, prebiotic, purgative, regenerative, tonic, vulnerary.7
Maple water, a hydrating drink
This raw product can be used as a hydrating drink during physical efforts, to maintain a more stable energy level, and help recovery faster as an energy drink would without the effects of caffeine. This water can be drunk as is or simply used to make your morning coffee or afternoon tea, or for an herbal tea during the day. It can also be used for cooking food such as rice, pasta, etc..
Maple water: An innovative product withMaple 3
The Maple 3 company offers a variety of maple water products, including pure maple water and a new line of sparkling maple waters available in 3 flavors (Original, lime and peach/mango).1
Maple 3 Company
The mission of Maple 3 is to inspire people to hydrate naturally so they can always be at their best.
L'maple water Maple 3 Maple Water contains 46 naturally occurring bioactives, electrolytes and minerals and a subtle maple taste, making it an amazing hydration solution. Maple 3 is now available in over 10 countries from Canada to Korea.1
Maple 3: An Eco-Friendly Supply
Each spring, maple water is collected directly from Canadian forests. No damage is done to the trees. Collecting and drinking maple water actually prevents deforestation.1
Maple 3 inaugurated the first maple grove in the world dedicated specifically to the production of maple water bharvested from the mature maple trees of Saint-Ferdinand.
If the sugaring-off season comes only once a year, Maple 3 maple water is available all year long.
From maple to you, a natural hydration solution.
About the author
Marie Couture, Certified Naturopath
Specialized in:
- Digestive disorders
- Inflammation
- Hormonal problems
- Stress management
References :
- https://maple3.ca
- https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89rable_%C3%A0_sucre
- https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1088471/eau-erable-boisson-vertus-popularite-engouement
- https://www.canalvie.com/sante-beaute/nutrition/infos-et-conseils/les-bienfaits-de-l-erable-1.781751
- https://www.lafermemartinette.com/le-phenomene-de-la-coulee-de-seve/
- https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/625519/sirop-erable-laboratoire-quebecol
- Schneider Anny, Native medicinal plantsLes Éditions de l'homme, 2020, 265 pages