Wood-Fired Maple Syrup from Laurel & Ash

I’ve always been transfixed by the amount of time and skill it takes to create a finely crafted object. Oftentimes that leaves me captivated by textiles, ceramics, and beautiful design. But we don’t often think about what it means to have hand-crafted, high-quality food products — not to mention a brand that is as dedicated to practicing their craft as they are to sustainability. Enter: Laurel & Ash Farms. From their limited batches of wood-fired maple syrup down to their hand-stamped numbered (not to mention chic) labels, Laurel & Ash is dedicated to their trade through and through.

Laurel & Ash Farm is a 50 acre-working family farm and forest nestled within a mountainside in the Hudson Valley. From the heritage maples grown right on their farm, Laurel & Ash produces the highest quality limited batches of wood-fired maple syrup, hand-crafted, cold processed soaps, and unique varieties of heirloom produce. Welcome to the real deal.

They not only excel in producing the highest quality farm products but do so responsibly. In their own words, Laurel & Ash “values quality over quantity, enjoyment over tedium, and fostering respect for the forest and land that we farm.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. It’s so empowering to engage with a company that feels so grounded in their value system. Clearly, this speaks to a deep love for their trade.

It is no small feat to develop a self-sustaining craft that so intentionally syncs with the ecology of the land you survive on. It requires complex techniques and environmental passion. Laurel & Ash believes in sustainable farming practices, low-impact maple harvesting techniques, and holistic forest management. They welcome their responsibility to the resilient yet delicate ecosystems of the forest floor and canopy.

“We ensure that motor vehicle use is limited to designated forest paths, invasive species such as barberry and honeysuckle are eradicated while native species such as laurel and ferns are left untouched and used as windbreaks at the edge of our fennel and tomato crops.” They even use the wood from their farm’s forest management to fire the evaporator during the sugaring process. This level of attention paid is a model example of civic, artistic, and ethical craftsmanship.

Laurel & Ash harvest every drop of maple sap using sustainable practices, remaining deeply mindful of their role as responsible stewards of the land. And the best part… the syrup is truly to die for!