by Amy Henderson
We spoke with Christine Fisher about her new business in Oak Park, and her great maple tree adventure in Wisconsin.
SB: You purchased a farm in Wisconsin and decided to tap the maple trees to share their deliciousness with the rest of the community. Did you have any experience with tapping maple trees?
CF: No experience whatsoever. We bought the farm 3 years ago, and there were 80 acres of maple trees on the farm. Our new neighbor tapped the trees for us, and taught us how to do it. Another organic maple syrup farm in the area, called Kickapoo Gold, also showed us how to do it and how to address issues, like clogged lines.
SB: Can you take us through the process of getting the syrup to your store?
CF: Sap runs in the spring for only a couple of weeks. Phil, from Kickapoo Gold, picks up our sap, collects it in a drum, and then takes it to his farm for processing. He then bottles it, and we pick it up. We bring the bottles back to Oak Park, and foil and label them here.
There are three different grades of syrup: amber is the first part of the season and it is very light. Then, as time goes on, it gets darker, and the extra dark comes last. The extra dark has the most minerals, it's the sweetest, and it's bold in taste. All three grades come from the same tree and season.
SB: How will global warming and carbon emissions affect syrup supply?
CF: Maple trees need cold winters. If it keeps going the way it's going, supply will decrease and syrup prices will go higher. Also, during the spring, we need cold nights and warm days for the sap to run.
SB: Your store also features local artists. Can you tell me more about those artists?
CF: We have some work by Sandra Dawson. She also designed our syrup bottle labels. We also have work from local jewelers and upcycled clothing and necklaces. We sell Retablos, a Latin American iconic art, by artist Lynn Garlick of Taos, New Mexico. She paints the patron saints for mothers, grandmothers, coffee drinkers, people who love dogs, everything you can imagine.
SB: The first thing people think of with syrup is pancakes and waffles. What other uses can you recommend?
CF: I like to put it on my oatmeal. I have a friend that made mapletinis last weekend. People use it on brussel sprouts, maple glazed chicken, maple bacon, maple cookies. I've had people use it in their tea instead of honey. You can use it as an ice cream topping or mix it right in.
SB: I'm glad you mentioned the ice cream! Sugar Beet Co-op and Three Queens is inviting all Sugar Beet members and friends to come to the store on June 23rd for an ice cream social - ice cream made with Three Queens' delicious organic maple syrup from their farm in Westby, Wisconsin. We'll be there from 1pm - 3pm and we hope to see everyone there!
Three Queens Art Gallery is located at 140 Harrison Street in Oak Park.
Amy Henderson is a Sugar Beet Co-op member and volunteer. She looks forward to seeing you at the ice cream social on June 23rd.
