Meurens facts for kids
Siroperie Meurens is a family-owned company from Belgium. They are famous for making "Le Vrai Sirop de Liège". This is a traditional Belgian treat. It looks a bit like apple butter. It is made from local apples, pears, and dates. Siroperie Meurens is the most well-known maker of Sirop de Liège. They sell their products under the name Vrai Sirop de Liège/Echte Luikse Siroop.
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What is Sirop de Liège?
A Special Fruit Spread
Sirop de Liège is a thick fruit paste. It is similar to marmalade or quince paste. People often spread it on bread. This is called a tartine or open sandwich. It also tastes great with a strong cheese from the region, like Fromage de Herve or Herve Cheese.
How It's Made
To make just one pound of Sirop, it takes about four pounds of fruit! The main ingredients are apples, pears, and dates. No extra sugar is added in its refined form. The sweetness comes naturally from the fruits and local sugar beets.
The Story of Siroperie Meurens
Starting in Aubel
The company was started in 1902 by Clement Meurens. He began in Aubel, Belgium. The recipe for Sirop de Liège is very old. It has been passed down through generations. The company officially registered the name Sirop de Liège in 1947.
Enjoying Sirop de Liège
Besides being a spread, Sirop de Liège is used in cooking too. It can be a base for meatball sauce, like in Boulets à la Liégeoise. It is also used in pancake sauces, such as for boûkète or lacquemant pancakes.
Meurens Today
New Flavors and Products
Today, the Meurens family still makes this natural product with great care. They have even added new flavors, like apricot. The company makes products for people to buy in stores. These include "Le Vrai Sirop de Liège", "Poiret", and "Pomona".
Helping Other Businesses
Siroperie Meurens also sells ingredients to other companies. They offer purees and juice concentrates. These come from dried fruits like prunes, raisins, figs, dates, and apricots. They also use fresh fruits like apples and pears. Even roots like sugar beet and roasted chicory are used. This helps other industries find natural ways to sweeten their products.
Sirop de Liège Around the World
The tradition of Sirop de Liège has even reached New York City. There, it is used to make special chocolate truffles and candy bars. This shows how popular and versatile this Belgian treat has become.
