Maple Syrup Question

[shel]

Are there any nutritional differences, such as calories, vitamins, sugar content, between Grades AA, A, B and C maple syrup?

Shel

[Enchantress]

Grade A is the first syrup of the spring and is lighter in flavor....

Grade B is the late spring sap and is darker and tastes much like carmel. It also contains more nutrients then grade A because it is taken later in the year after thiner grade A syrup .

Grade C syrup is the last , and is used commercially in cooking, sorta like molasses...icky for pancakes..

hope that sorta helps..


blessings, Enchantress

[Ninja_59]

Hi Shel,

I have one can in my hands, nothing is written on it, theres not ( to my knowledge ) any nutritional differences.


The only thing I see is maybee the calories

[Marzoli]

I am glad you asked about this topic, Shel. I have always wondered about it. I think I can foresee French Toast in my future!

[phatch]

Cooks Illustrated prefers Grade B Light Amber. My dad brought me some grade A from a trip back to the NorthEast and I thought it was weak and watery compared to the Grade B Light Amber. Tastes vary though so if you prefer a lighter flavor, Grade A is there for you.

[shel]

Originally Posted by Enchantress

Grade A is the first syrup of the spring and is lighter in flavor....

Grade B is the late spring sap and is darker and tastes much like carmel. It also contains more nutrients then grade A because it is taken later in the year after thiner grade A syrup .

Grade C syrup is the last , and is used commercially in cooking, sorta like molasses...icky for pancakes..

hope that sorta helps..


blessings, Enchantress

No, it coesn't help at all. I asked if there were any nutritional differences.

Thanks anyway,

Shel

[Enchantress]

Grade B is the late spring sap and is darker and tastes much like carmel. It also contains more nutrients then grade A because it is taken later in the year after thiner grade A syrup .


whateva

[phoebe]

Shel,
I've got two bottles sitting in front of me. The Grade A is "dark amber" from "Full Circle." The Grade B is from "Shady Maple Farms." Both are labled "USDA Oraganic."

Grade A: 200 calories per 60 ml
Grade B: 210 calories per 60 ml

Grade A: 5 mg sodium
Grade B: 7 mg sodium

Both contain 53g total carb/ sugars

Grade A: 8% Calcium and 8% Iron: based on daily values for 2000 calorie diet
Grade B doesn't offer this info.

[MikeLM]

My son, on a New England foliage trip, stopped at a syrup mill and was advised by the operator to stick to Grade B for more flavor. He, and we, have done so ever since. Trader Joe's has a nice Grade B at a very reasonable price.

Mike

[Luc_H]

Hi Shel,

There is basically no real difference calorie wise or nutritionally between grades of maple syrup.
Maple syrup has a product identity status (in Canada at least). It must contain an exact amount of total solids (sugar) mandated by law.

The colour varies with the progress of the season but also with the evaporating equipment, soil conditions, spring thaw/refreeze cycle, tree health and maturity plus other factors.

In Quebec all maple syrup destined for export is pooled to a central regulated warehouse where the syrup is individually graded according to colour and taste (mainly). Category B amber is the most appreciated because of it's balance of sweetness and burn sugar notes.

Category C is used for commercial/industrial food applications.

Luc H

[shel]

Originally Posted by phoebe

Shel,
I've got two bottles sitting in front of me. The Grade A is "dark amber" from "Full Circle." The Grade B is from "Shady Maple Farms." Both are labled "USDA Oraganic."

Grade A: 200 calories per 60 ml
Grade B: 210 calories per 60 ml

Grade A: 5 mg sodium
Grade B: 7 mg sodium

Both contain 53g total carb/ sugars

Grade A: 8% Calcium and 8% Iron: based on daily values for 2000 calorie diet
Grade B doesn't offer this info.

That's helpful info ... thanks!

Shel

[shel]

Originally Posted by Luc_H

Hi Shel,

There is basically no real difference calorie wise or nutritionally between grades of maple syrup.

Thanks! that's exactly what I wanted to know.

Shel

[MikeLM]

I don't want this thread to expire without mentioning a favorite syrup of mine- Sorghum.

When I was a kid in the St. Louis area, my grandfather always had some on hand, and it's still a favorite of mine. It's made from the epynomous cane, and has a flavor all of its own.

It's not real easy to find, and you should inspect the label carefully - I have been victimized by "sorghum-flavored corm syrup" kind of like what they do to Log Cabin.

If you're ever passing by Knaw Bone, Indiana - about 70 miles south of Indianapolis - you should stop at the local year round farmers market and get some. It keeps pretty much indefinitely.

If you're around Knaw Bone (you could look it up! it's a real town) you are just a little south of Columbus, Indiana. It's the home of Cummins Diesel. For many decades, the Cummins Foundation has had a standing offer to local organizations, public and private, to pay the fees of a world-renowned architect of their choice for their planned buildings. They have libraries, churches, public buildings, bridges, office and government buildings designed by the world's foremost architects- Neutra, Meier, both Saarinens... you name 'em, they've got them.

If you're any kind of architectural buff, you should spend a day and take the municipal tour.

But don't forget to get some sorghum molasses.

Mike

[shel]

I've had some real sorghum a few times, back in the days when i was travelling the back roads a lot. Goodstuff. That supermarket stuff is crapola!

shel

[Luc_H]

Wow what an interesting product!!
I found this site: Sweet Sorghum or sometimes known as Sorghum Molasses

another syrup that many don't know about is: birch syrup
an interesting site: About Birch Syrup

Luc H.