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| Maple Syrup Grades |
- Vermont Fancy Grade: This syrup is the lightest in color with a mild
delicate flavor. It is usually produced first in the spring with the
temperatures are the coldest.
- Vermont Grade A Medium Amber: This is a great all purpose syrup and
generally the most popular. The flavor is slightly stronger than Fancy
and the color is a warm golden hue.
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- Vermont Grade A Dark Amber: This syrup is darker than Medium Amber
and has a full-bodied maple flavor. This can be used for cooking for to
sweeten foods naturally. Many enjoy this syrup for a stronger maple
flavor on pancakes, waffles and ice cream.
- Vermont Grade B: This is a darker grade for cooking and flavoring.
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How is Maple Syrup Produced? |
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Maple syrup is
produced from the sap collected
from the Sugar Maple tree. Maple sap is clear, watery and contains only
2-4% sugar. The season begins in late February with the
tapping of the sugar maple trees. A hole is drilled into the tree. A
spout
is then driven into the hole. A bucket is hung or pipeline (plastic
tubing) is
attached to collect the sap. The sap begins to flow when
temperatures begin to rise above freezing during the day but fall below
freezing
at night. The sap is collected into gathering tanks and
brought to the sugarhouse to be boiled in the evaporator. The sap will
run intermittently over the next 4-6 weeks until
the weather warms and the buds begin to form on the trees, usually early
to mid-
April.
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Maple
trees that produce sap are at least 40
years old. It takes 40 gallons of sap to
produce one
gallon of Maple Syrup. It will take the annual sap output of
four
mature maple trees to produce one gallon of maple syrup. Vermont remains the
largest single
producer of
Maple Syrup in the United States. |
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Maple Syrup is a
completely natural
product, without preservatives or additives. It is nutritionally
important, containing:
- Minerals
(calcium, potassium) Maple Syrup has the same calcium content as whole
milk
- Vitamins (B2, B5, B6, niacin,
biotin and
folic acid)
- Amino Acids
Maple Syrup has only 40 calories per TBsp. Corn syrup has 60 calories
per TBsp. |
Care and Storage of Maple Syrup |
Unopened, maple syrup will last indefinitely. Keep the unopened
container in a cool, dark place. Once opened, store in the refrigerator
or freezer. |
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