Well what an opening weekend for Rugby World Cup 2015!  Japan made history. The Springboks got a numbing shock. Ireland walked the walk and talked the talk. Their massive victory over Canada on Saturday was a great start for the boys in green. So we thought today we’d have our own Ireland v Canada food challenge . We pitch Ireland’s home produced Highbank Orchard Organic Orchard Syrup against Canada’s Maple Syrup. Here are some facts and figures:

• Maple syrup is produced in five Canadian provinces, the main one being Quebec. Highbank Syrup is produced on one family owned farm in Kilkenny.
• Canada produces 71% of the world’s pure Maple syrup. Ireland produces 100% of the world’s pure organic Highbank Orchard Syrup.
• There are roughly 8600 maple syrup production businesses in Canada. There is only one Highbank Organic Orchard Syrup producer in Ireland.
• Maple Syrup is made from the sap of the maple tree. Highbank Orchard Organic Orchard Syrup is made from the pressed pure  juice of 100% organic Highbank Orchard farm grown apples.

It’s interesting to compare the stats and of course we are biased, but we think Highbank Organic Orchard Syrup beats any other syrup hands down! Here are some things you can do with it:

• Drizzle it on pancakes and griddle cakes
• Serve it as an accompaniment to mature Irish farm house cheeses or light soft young Irish goat’scheese like Bluebell Falls
• Use it in a salad dressing to add a touch of sweetness
• Stir into porridge with our without cream!
• Drizzle over waffles with topped with crispy bacon
• Use it to sweeten a hot toddy with Irish Whiskey
• Use it to mix with fresh lemon and hot water for a soothing drink when you have the sniffles
• Use as part of a glaze for roast pork or baked ham
• Drizzle over French Toast

Check the Highbank Orchard Recipes section on their website for these and more ideas.

Maple syrup stats taken from the Pure Canadian Maple Syrup website