Summary
The Maple Guild: Revolutionizing the Maple Syrup Industry
The Maple Guild, located in Island Pond, Vermont, is the largest maple-syrup forest owned by a single-source producer in the world. Founded by three Jersey boys in 2013, the company has almost half a million taps, spanning across 24,000 acres of land in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and Canada.
Production Process
The sugaring season typically runs from February to April, depending on the weather forecast. The process starts with tapping sugar maple trees, which can be tapped for decades. The sap is extracted through vacuum tubing or gravity and collected in reverse-osmosis houses, where the water is filtered out, leaving a high-sugar-content concentrate.
Steam-Crafting Method
The Maple Guild has pioneered a new method called Steam-Crafting, which speeds up the process of turning sap into syrup. Instead of boiling the sap, it’s steam-heated at a lower temperature using coils, producing 55 gallons of maple syrup in just 90 seconds. This method also produces a more nuanced maple flavor.
Quality Control and Packaging
Once the sap is turned into syrup, it’s tested to ensure the sugar levels are right. The syrup is then sent through filters to remove impurities and tested for grading. The lighter the color of the syrup, the higher the grade. The Maple Guild’s syrup has a consistent grade A, golden rating.
Vertically Integrated
The company is vertically integrated, meaning it owns every step of the process from tree to table. This allows for greater control over the quality of the product and has helped the company to revolutionize the maple syrup industry.
Market and Growth
The maple syrup industry has undergone a revolution in the last five years, with companies like The Maple Guild at the forefront. The US is gaining ground on Canada, which has historically dominated the market. Vermont, dubbed the maple-syrup capital of the US, produces 40% of the maple syrup in the entire United States.
Product Line and Future Plans
The Maple Guild sells branded products across 50 states and infuses its syrups with flavors like coffee, pumpkin spice, and bourbon. The company also produces other maple-based products, including maple butter, naturally fermented maple vinegar, and maple-sweetened teas and waters. Future plans include introducing maple into new categories, such as kombucha, kefir drinking water, and nitro coffee.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Single-source producer | A company that controls the entire production process, from raw materials to finished product. | “The Maple Guild is the largest maple-syrup forest owned by a single-source producer in the world.” |
| Sugaring season | The period of time when maple trees are tapped for sap, typically from February to April. | “The sugaring season typically runs from February to April, depending on the weather forecast.” |
| Reverse-osmosis | A process used to remove water from sap, resulting in a high-sugar-content concentrate. | “The sap is extracted and collected in reverse-osmosis houses, where the water is filtered out.” |
| Steam-Crafting | A method of producing maple syrup using steam heat, resulting in a faster process and more nuanced flavor. | “The Maple Guild has pioneered a new method called Steam-Crafting, which speeds up the process of turning sap into syrup.” |
| Vertically integrated | A company that controls every step of the production process, from raw materials to finished product. | “The company is vertically integrated, meaning it owns every step of the process from tree to table.” |
| Grade A, golden rating | A classification of maple syrup based on its color and quality, with Grade A, golden being the highest rating. | “The Maple Guild’s syrup has a consistent grade A, golden rating.” |
| Infused syrup | Maple syrup that has been flavored with additional ingredients, such as coffee or pumpkin spice. | “The Maple Guild sells branded products across 50 states and infuses its syrups with flavors like coffee, pumpkin spice, and bourbon.” |
| Maple-based products | Products that use maple syrup or other maple-derived ingredients as a primary component. | “The company also produces other maple-based products, including maple butter, naturally fermented maple vinegar, and maple-sweetened teas and waters.” |
| Nitro coffee | A type of coffee that uses nitrogen gas to create a creamy, velvety texture. | “Future plans include introducing maple into new categories, such as kombucha, kefir drinking water, and nitro coffee.” |
| Kombucha | A fermented tea drink that contains probiotics and other beneficial compounds. | “Future plans include introducing maple into new categories, such as kombucha, kefir drinking water, and nitro coffee.” |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
## Question 1: What does “single-source producer” mean in the context of The Maple Guild?
A) A company that produces multiple types of products
B) A company that owns and controls every step of the production process
C) A company that sources its materials from a single location
D) A company that is owned by a single individual
## Question 2: What is the purpose of the reverse-osmosis houses in The Maple Guild’s production process?
A) To add flavor to the sap
B) To filter out impurities from the sap
C) To boil the sap and produce syrup
D) To extract water from the sap and leave a high-sugar-content concentrate
## Question 3: What is the result of The Maple Guild’s Steam-Crafting method?
A) A lower quality of maple syrup
B) A slower process of turning sap into syrup
C) A more nuanced maple flavor and faster production time
D) A higher cost of production
## Question 4: What does “vertically integrated” mean in the context of The Maple Guild?
A) The company is integrated with other companies in the industry
B) The company owns and controls every step of the production process
C) The company is located in a vertical structure
D) The company produces a variety of vertical products
## Question 5: What is the significance of Vermont in the maple syrup industry?
A) It is the largest consumer of maple syrup
B) It is the smallest producer of maple syrup
C) It produces 40% of the maple syrup in the United States
D) It is the only state that produces maple syrup
## Answer Key:
1. B) A company that owns and controls every step of the production process
2. D) To extract water from the sap and leave a high-sugar-content concentrate
3. C) A more nuanced maple flavor and faster production time
4. B) The company owns and controls every step of the production process
5. C) It produces 40% of the maple syrup in the United States
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: The Use of Passive Voice and Participial Adjectives
The provided text is suitable for CEFR C1 level learners, and one key grammar point that can be identified is the use of passive voice and participial adjectives. The text features various examples of passive voice constructions, such as “is owned,” “is tapped,” “is extracted,” “is filtered,” and “is tested.” Additionally, participial adjectives like “reverse-osmosis,” “steam-heated,” “vertically integrated,” and “naturally fermented” are used to describe nouns. This grammar point is relevant to C1 level learners, as it requires an understanding of complex sentence structures and the ability to use passive voice and participial adjectives to convey nuanced meanings.