Most maple syrup in Michigan comes from the northern lower and upper peninsulas, so why does Grand Rapids smell like syrup?
Michigan’s Maple Syrup Industry
Every time I make a visit to the Upper Peninsula, I almost always come back with a jug of Michigan-made maple syrup. About a year ago found a meat shop on M-37 that carries maple syrup that was tapped in Michigan. Once you have pancakes or waffles in pure maple syrup, store-bought syrup is just not the same.
Canada is most famous for maple syrup, but Michigan is pretty good at making it too. The Mitten State ranks fifth in the nation for maple syrup production, making around 200,000 gallons per year.
Michigan doesn’t have a major maple syrup factory, does however, have a network of producers that help make up the Michigan Maple Syrup Association. In many cases you can buy it right from the person who tapped the trees and cooked it up.
Grand Rapids Smells Like Syrup Again, Here’s Why
Recently a poster on the Grand Rapids Reddit page was asking why the city smells like maple syrup. After reading through all the posts it turns out there is a factory in the area that makes all kinds of food flavorings making the town smell like soy sauce one day, blueberries or strawberries the next, and eventually maple syrup.
Grand Rapids actually has several local businesses and organizations involved in maple syrup production, with some having tradition spanning over 100 years. Below is a list of places that could also be contributing to the maple syrup smell in Grand Rapids.
- Blandford Nature Center – Taps maple trees on its property to produce syrup.
- Big Prairie Farm – A family-owned farm that produces 100% pure Michigan maple syrup.
- Kasza Sugar Bush – A local company that produces and sells a variety of maple syrup products.
- BLis (Because Life is Short) – A Grand Rapids-based company that specializes in bourbon-barrel-aged maple syrup.
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There are plenty of reason why areas of Grand Rapids sometimes smells like maple syrup. Suddenly, I am craving some pancakes…