they say blood is thicker than water, but maple syrup is thicker than blood. therefore my loyalties lie with pancakes.
— Anonymous
so sought after is maple syrup that in august 2012, thieves were reported to have stolen roughly 1,000 tonnes of syrup in what is informally known as the great Canadian maple syrup heist.
maple syrup cartel
The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers (FPAQ) is a government-sanctioned private organisation that regulates the production and marketing of maple syrup in Quebec. Around 70% of the world’s supply of maple syrup is produced and controlled by what some call the maple syrup cartel.
sugar alternative?
Some say it’s a great alternative to refined sugars as it has a lower glycemic index, is less processed, and contains antioxidants and minerals like magnesium, zinc and potassium. We might not recommend it as a “healthy” alternative but we certainly haven’t found a replacement for the complex maple flavour and aroma that we love so dearly.
imposter syndrome
It’s good to be insistent on some things, and pure maple syrup is one of them. If you enjoy the flavour of maple, then you’d better insist on pure maple syrup. The adulterated versions of maple syrup (think pancake syrup) may be much cheaper and offer a similar taste profile, but fall short in nutrition compared to the real deal. None of that high-fructose corn syrup and fake caramel colour for us please.
long term investment
What we see is just an amber liquid syrup. What’s behind that is a 40 year wait, if you start from scratch. That’s how long it takes for a maple tree to grow big enough to be tapped for its delicious syrup. The sap of the sugar maple tree is one of the most delicious natural sweeteners in the world, and we think it might just be worth the wait.
maple exams
When it comes to results, we’re all too familiar with the As, Bs and Cs. However, in the maple syrup world, there isn’t a “best” grade of syrup, and their grading system is used to differentiate between colour and flavour intensity. It’s pretty difficult for our brains to move away from thinking that A isn’t always better than B, and that’s why some producers emphasise on the colour and flavour instead of the typical grading system.
Master Cleanse
Originally cooked up to flush purported toxins and waste from the body, the Master Cleanse – also known as the Lemonade Diet – has been popularised for quick weight loss. (Beyonce allegedly used this diet to slim down for her role in "Dreamgirls") This "lemonade" concoction includes fresh lemon juice, cayenne pepper, water, and — you guessed it — maple syrup.