Maple Syrup traces the surprisingly rich story behind Canada’s most iconic sweet. Peter Kuitenbrouwer shows how maple syrup moved from Indigenous knowledge and seasonal ritual to a modern industry shaped by regulation and global demand. Along the way, he explores colonial appropriation, regional rivalries, the realities of production, and even the infamous Great Maple Syrup Heist, taking us from sugar maple forests at the edge of winter to vast warehouses guarding barrels of liquid gold, This turned out to be far more absorbing than I expected. Kuitenbrouwer’s background as both journalist and forester really shows in this thoughtful micro-history of Canada. I especially appreciated the care taken with Indigenous histories and the sections on climate change. As I am married to a proud Canadian who takes his maple syrup seriously, I had an audience for the many facts and anecdotes I picked up along the way! Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin RandomHouse Canada for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.