Maple syrup is a sign that Spring has arrived in New Brunswick. There are sugar shacks all around the province that start tapping trees and heating up sap this time of year. Many of them open up their doors to the public by offering tours and serving pancakes topped with sugary goodness. About 45 minutes from Saint John you will find Elmhurst Outdoors located just outside of Hampton. They offer both a tour and freshly made pancakes.
We visited there last weekend and had a fantastic time! This family-friendly activity starts with an outdoor tour. On their interpretive walk, we learned about maple syrup history throughout the centuries. Our guide took us on a short trail through tapped maple trees in their sugar bush, describing how the process has changed over the years. Here they have about 250 maple trees tapped providing them with maple sap.
At the end of the trail, we reached the sugar shack where they process the sap. Before going in, we each had a taste of last year’s syrup with our own cup of maple taffy-on-snow. It was a sticky, sweet treat! Once inside, we gathered around a large machine bellowing out steam. They walked us through the sap to syrup steps, explaining that they are looking for 67% sugar content in their final product. While we were there listening, the first drops of syrup from this season started to trickle out.
After the tour, it was time to enjoy some hot fresh coffee and pancakes! I love their focus on using local New Brunswick ingredients. The pancakes are made using Spearville flour and their sausages are from Degenhardt European Farm. If you want a hot drink they offer King Cole Tea and Beamer’s Creek Coffee Roasters from Hampton. Of course, every plate comes with maple syrup that has been made on site. You can also purchase a bottle of their yummy syrup to enjoy at home.
We had such a fantastic time on our maple syrup fueled experience!
Their last tour of the season is April 11 2021
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Covid Details: Masks are required to be worn during the tour and while entering the restaurant. They have taken extra steps to ensure that visitors are appropriately spaced out while inside.
Gluten-Free Details: The sausages are gluten-free and they offer a gluten-free pancake. This kitchen does use flour, so cross-contamination is possible.
