Gastronomy

The hub of Quebec’s maple producing area, Southern Quebec is home to the largest number of sugar shacks in the province. The sugaring season, when the sap is gathered, takes place in March and April.

• Syrup
• Taffy
• Maple butter and sugar

Southern Quebec is the world leader in the production, processing and marketing of maple products.

Southern Quebec (Eastern Townships) is known worldwide for its famous Brome Lake duck. The Brome Lake Ducks farm has been specializing in the raising of Peking ducks since 1912.

Brome Lake duck is prepared in various ways and attracts food lovers from around the world to the region. Brome Lake duck is available in many Quebec grocery stores.

This local product is linked to a variety of activities in Knowlton, one of the most beautiful villages of Quebec.

Known for their many therapeutic merits, cranberries are harvested from late September to mid-October. Indigenous to North America, this fruit grows in the unfertile, acid soil of Quebec peat bogs.

Approximately 25 million kg of cranberries are harvested annually in Quebec and over 85% of this production comes from Southern Quebec (Centre-du-Québec).

A stop at the cranberry fields, close to major highways, is a colourful “must-see” experience. This tiny fruit is harvested by flooding the fields, turning them into a brilliant blanket of red.

In the St. Lawrence valley, growing corn dates back to the year 1000 when Amerindians from the Iroquois nation first toiled the land. The French term for corn, “blé d’Inde,” is said to have been coined by Christopher Columbus who thought he had landed in India and identified the corn he saw growing as Indian wheat.

The traditional corn roast originated with Amerindian traditions related to growing corn. The corn roast is a celebration of the corn harvest, bringing together family and friends.

On your travels through Southern Quebec, in season, you’ll notice many corn fields along our country roads; this crop is very common in the area.

Poutine is a typical Quebec dish that was developed in Southern Quebec (Centre-du-Québec). It is made of fries and curd cheese covered with gravy.

This dish was invented in the early 1960s. In Southern Quebec, various businesses sold small bags of cheese that people ate with their main meal.

The name “poutine” was given to this cheese-potato-gravy dish, associating it with the word “pudding” that grandmothers used when identifying any kind of mixture.

In 1964, Jean-Paul Roy of Drummondville decided to market the name “poutine” and it has since become known worldwide.

The regions of Southern Quebec are among the major apple-producing regions of Quebec. From August to early October, more than 30 orchards are open to the public for apple picking.

With its particularly mild, temperate climate, Southern Quebec has more than 20 vineyards that are open to visitors. Experience the traditional Quebec grape harvest in September and October.

• The history of grape growing in Quebec
• The various grape varieties grown
• Production techniques
• Quebec vineyard products

Some 10 cider mills located in the Eastern Townships and Chaudière-Appalaches regions welcome the public on site. Several cider mills in Southern Quebec have obtained international recognition for the quality of the cider they produce.

Cider is produced from the alcoholic fermentation of apple juice using an apple variety grown in the area.