Arthur Haines February 27, 2013 Natural Health, Food & Water Mahqan, a Prized Natural Sweetener Arthur Haines February 27, 2013 Natural Health, Food & Water Mahqan (pronounced MAH-kwahn) is an indigenous word for maple syrup. It is made by collecting the sap of maple trees as it flows out of a small wound in the late winter and reducing it down to a thick, syrupy liquid.