Sap's Rising in Highland County, Virginia

About this episode

The episode explores the history and future of maple syrup production in Highland County, Virginia.

In Highland County, Virginia, there are more trees than people. Specifically, the County is rich in sugar maples, the trees whose sap produces maple syrup. Better known as a “northern” sweetener, maple syrup is something that Highland County residents have been producing for decades—likely as early as the County was first settled in the mid-1700s. They learned the practice from local Indigenous tribes, who took part in tapping trees themselves. In “Sap's Rising in Highland County, Virginia,” Gravy reporter Sarah Jessee explores Highland County maple syrup production in the past and present, and discusses how the County’s syrup-making might change in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Sarah Jessee

Topics covered

• maple syrup
• Highland County
• sugar maples
• Indigenous practices
• food history
• syrup production

Keywords

• maple syrup
• Highland County
• sugar maples
• Indigenous tribes
• food production
• Virginia

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Southern Foodways Alliance

Places: Highland County, Virginia, Virginia

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