If there was an Olympics for maple syrup production, Roger Roseum could arguably be the Michael Phelps of 2022.
If there was an Olympics for maple syrup production, Roger Roseum could arguably be the Michael Phelps of 2022.
The 2019 grand champion knows a thing or two about producing award-winning maple syrup at his namesake farm in Chester Township.
Roseum took home gold in every category during the April 16 Maple Syrup Hall of Fame brunch, which returned after a two-year hiatus at Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen in Middlefield.
“The most exciting for me this year was winning first place in all three syrup producer’s categories (golden, amber and dark) and the grand champion award with the amber category,” Roseum said. “Winning the year was a great honor, among the other people who entered and other producers who also chose not to enter and also make great syrup. Maple in Geauga County goes back for generations, I feel very thankful to be able to be part of the families that contribute to this unique industry. Whether a large or small producer, all of us have an important part in producing the best maple syrup for families to consume.”
Roseum credits his success to his continued learning about the industry, whether from attending seminars or talking to other producers.
”(I learn) what are good and bad practices and how to use some of the equipment properly,” Roseum said.
In addition, he said there are many conditions that can affect the color and flavor of syrup, such as weather conditions, how sap is handled and processed, the equipment used and how it is evaporated to the correct density. No two years are the same.
“Keeping everything clean in the proper way is one of the most important (things),” Roseum said. “It is a lot of work and takes a lot of dedication to stay with it.”
Montville Township’s Kevin Holy, the 2021 grand champion, served as chairman of the maple syrup contest.
“This year’s judging was extremely close. We had 116 total entries and the densities, color and flavors were top notch this year,” Holy said. “It is extremely exciting and truly an honor to be trusted among my peers for the future of the maple festival syrup contest.”
Master of Ceremonies Bob Rogish said the top scores are always very close.
“It comes down to the flavor and it’s really exciting to award Roseum Farms with first place in all three color and flavor categories and to pin them grand champions again,” Rogish said. “Like last year, Geauga County maple producers found themselves making more medium amber grade syrup this year than the golden delicate grade. Our head judge chose the amber grade to be of exceptional taste that best represented it’s color, so it was chosen grand champion.”
Jim Patterson is a founder of the Geauga Maple Syrup Hall of Fame, located downstairs in the Patterson Center on the Geauga County Fairgrounds in Burton.
Each year, an award dating back to 1984 is given for considerable contributions to the maple syrup industry.
This year’s hall of fame inductee is Mike Tvergyak from Chardon.
“It was good to see everyone after such a long hiatus, with 19 members of the Geauga Maple Producers Hall of Fame in attendance,” Jim’s son, David Patterson, said.
Rogish said the third time is a charm and they are finally back to normal.
“We didn’t have a contest in 2020, but did have a hall of fame selection. In 2021, we did have the contest, syrup auction and added another inductee to the hall of fame,” Rogish said.
“It was nice to be able to induct such deserving individuals, all connected with Chardon and the (Geauga County) Maple Festival,” Dave Patterson added. “A big part of this get together is the fellowship of maple producers getting together, discussing the season and honoring the extraordinary maple syrup produced in Geauga County. Also, very amazing and congratulations to Roseum Farms for winning all three divisions of the producer class and grand champion.”
The Blue Ribbon Maple Syrup Auction will be held at the upcoming Geauga County Maple Festival.
