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Welcome to theMaine Maple Syrup Page( An info page about the products of the region. ) |
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" The finest Pure Maine Maple syrup and Maple candy on the market today is made in York County, Maine. "
Index
- A Natural treat.
- Buyers Guide. to pure Maine Maple syrup.
- How to store Maine Maple Syrup.
- Did you know?
- Return to Firebox.org main page.
A Natural Treat.
Pure Maine Maple syrup with a hint of the great north woods in it, has been brightening the flavor of fine downeast food since long before the colonists arrived. Now, hundreds of years later, it's still the same great natural product. State controls assure quality, and the degree of sweetness is fixed by law, but the uniquely delicious taste still varies as it always has. Sometimes the syrup is dark and rich, sometimes pale gold and delicate. It all depends on the soil and terrain, the wind and the weather.
Buyers Guide.
Pure Maine maple syrup is made by boiling the sap of hard rock maple trees (Acer saccharum). It provides three times the sweetening power of cane sugar, and contains only 40 calories per tablespoon.
All Maine Maple syrup commercially sold is U.S. Grade A quality, as defined by Maine law. The syrup is further classified by flavor and color characteristics as light, medium, dark or extra dark amber. The words "Maine Maple Syrup" may be used only for pure maple syrup that is produced in Maine.
Light Amber colored syrup is most often made from the first, brief flows of the season. It has pronounced sweetness with a very delicate maple flavor.
Medium Amber has a slightly darker amber color with a gentle but more pronounced maple flavor. This syrup is desirable for pancakes, waffles, French toast and cereal and is a great all-purpose syrup.
Dark Amber syrup has a uniquely balanced maple sweetness that makes it a pleasing syrup for many consumers. It's characteristic flavoring makes it a favorite for cooking as well as a superb table syrup.
Extra Dark Amber is quickly becoming the most requested of Maine's pure maple syrup grades. It's hearty maple flavor and less pronounced sweetness are popular with many maple connoisseurs.
Maine has a mandatory maple syrup grading law. Pure Maine maple syrup must adhere to some of the strictest standards for density, clarity, color and flavor. Maple inspectors enforce these laws and assist producers in maintaining high standards and superior quality in their maple products.
Storing Maple Syrup.
Pure Maine maple syrup contains no preservatives and should be refrigerated or kept in a cool dry place after the seal is broken. Properly prepared maple syrup will not freeze, and the freezer makes an ideal storage place.
Did You Know?
- The average maple tree is not tapped until it is almost 40 years old. Tapping younger trees can often harm them.
- An average 40 year-old tree will yield about 40 quarts of sap per season - just enough to make one quart of pure maple syrup.
- Sap can only be harvested while it's moving through the tree trunk. The sugar in sap is stored as starch throughout the year. During the spring, the warm days and cold nights help change these starches to sugars, and the flow of sweet sap begins.
- A gallon of pure Maine maple syrup will weigh about 11 pounds.
