How to Enjoy Western MA Maple Season from Near and Far
Red Bucket Sugar Shack, Worthington | Photo by Lynne Graves
Here in Western Massachusetts, maple sugaring season is one of the first signs of our annual agricultural awakening. As soon as we start to see the maple buckets on trees and sugaring steam rising in the distance, we know spring can't be far off. Whether you plan to be near or far from Western Massachusetts, there are ways to enjoy the best that a Massachusetts maple season has to offer.
From Near
Visit a local Sugarhouse Restaurant
One of the best things about maple season if you happen to be in Western Massachusetts is eating breakfast with maple syrup straight from the source! Some sugarhouses also operate as seasonable restaurants, opening their doors not only to share the process of maple boiling but also feed the masses with fresh syrup. No two sugarhouse breakfasts are the same either. You can eat with "Tommy the Maple" at the Red Bucket Sugar Shack or enjoy all the pancakes you can handle at the “sugarhouse buffet” at High Hopes. These are the sugarhouse restaurants in Hampshire County:
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North Hadley Sugar Shack
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High Hopes Farm |
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The Strawbale Café at Hanging Mountain Farm
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The Red Bucket Sugar Shack |
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Steve’s Sugar Shack |
Windy Hill Farm Sugar House |
Attend a Special Maple Season Event
Celebrate Maple Days at the William Cullen Bryant Homestead March 18 and 25, 2017. From its iconic red barn to elegant allee of maples leading to the main house, this Trustees property is testament to a celebrated poet’s ideal of living mindfully on the land. Maple Days activities include guided walks, sugaring demonstrations, and a pancake breakfast with maple syrup right from the Homestead's tapped trees.
If you want to work hard for your pancake breakfast, check out the second annual Sugar Shack Spin on Sunday, March 19, 2017 brought to you by Speed and Sprocket Cycle Works, the Pioneer Valley’s mobile bike shop. This year’s edition features three different routes for varying comfort levels.
Both of these events line up with Massachusetts Maple Weekend (March 18-20, 2017) when restaurants feature special dishes featuring maple syrup. Follow Mass Maple on Facebook for more information.
From Far
Order Massachusetts Maple Online
In this miraculous age of the internet, you can now have mostly anything delivered to your doorstep. A few of our favorite Western Massachusetts maple producers with online stores include Worthington’s Justamere Tree Farm and the North Hadley Sugar Shack. For a directory of all Mass Maple Producers, visit the MassMaple.org.
Cook with Massachusetts Maple
Almost any maple producer or enthusiast will recommend picking up some extra syrup for cooking and baking. Once you’ve received your mail-ordered syrup or get home with your stash from the sugarhouse, consider using your sryup as more than just a breakfast topping. Check out a few recipes from our locals and browse more at MassMaple.org.
Maple Bourbon Cocktail with Pear by Justamere Tree Farm in Worthington