HANCOCK, Mass. — Pure maple products made by Massachusetts maple syrup producers were once again proclaimed to be the best in the world, as three of the state's sugarmakers took home prizes from the North American Maple Syrup Council's annual competition, held this year in Portland, Maine.

 

Four prizes were collected by Massachusetts producers. Massachusetts' winners were:

 

Maple Cream: 1st place, Rob and Melissa Leab, Ioka Valley Farm, Hancock

Maple Cream: 2nd place, Paul and Serena Zononi, Paul's Sugar House, Williamsburg

Golden/Delicate syrup: 2nd place, Howard and Jeanne Boyden, Boyden Brothers Maple, Conway

Amber/Rich syrup: 3rd place, Rob and Melissa Leab, Ioka Valley Farm, Hancock

 

The winners represent the breadth of the maple industry in Massachusetts. 

 

Ioka Valley Farm is a fourth generation diversified, family owned and operated working farm dedicated to providing high quality locally grown products as well as enjoyment for all ages offering seasonal activities. Maple sugaring has been a part of Ioka Valley Farm since 1992 and currently they have 18,000 taps. Boyden's are a multi generational maple business well known for their high quality syrup, cream, granulated sugar, and candy.

 

They tap between 3500 – 4000 taps each year and market their products directly, mail order, and wholesale. Paul Zononi is a first generation sugar maker that has been producing maple syrup for over 60 years, where making quality maple syrup and maple products has been his passion. He and his wife Serena have been sugaring together since 2007 and have won numerous International Maple Awards. 

 

They currently have 3,400taps. 

 

There are more than 250 maple sugaring operations in Massachusetts, many of which sell their products directly to consumers at farm stands and farmers markets.