Hope Valley
Sugarhouse
192 Hope Valley Road
Hebron, CT 06231
(860) 228-9317
sales@hopevalleysugarhouse.com
So Where Does Maple Syrup Come From?
Maple Trees- There are four different
kinds of maple trees native to the northeastern United States, all of which
can
be tapped and will produce maple
syrup. The four trees are Sugar Maple (or Hard Maple),
Silver Maple (or Soft Maple)Red Maple (or Swamp Maple), and
Ash Leafed Maple (or Box Elder).
The Sugar Maple is the main producing
tree. The sap from the sugar maple contains about 2% sugar, while saps
from
others contain half to two thirds as
much. Also, the syrup made from other saps are darker and less flavorful.
So What Is Maple Sap?
Maple sap is a thin, barely sweet, and as
colorless as spring water.
The distinctive maple taste comes only through LOTS of
boiling.
So Where Does Sap Come
From?
Maple sap is found in the living
tissues of the roots, stems, twigs and trunk of the maple tree.
What Causes The Sap
Flow?
Sap flow is related to rising
temperatures. Warming temperatures above 32 degrees F increase sap
pressure.
Sap
runs in fits and starts from the first spring thaw until and we collect until
just before the buds pop.
If you continue to draw sap after the buds pop than the
syrup takes on a "buddy" taste which is undesirable.
A good maple season consists of cold
nights below freezing and warm days.
Different Grades of
Syrup
Maple Syrup is graded by color
and flavor, allowing consumers to choose the syrup most suited for the food
they are preparing. Below are the grade definitions and guidelines which
will help you choose the
maple syrup that is best suited for you
U.S. Grade A Light Amber- Light amber color and delicate maple bouquet. A delightful, mild maple flavor, excellent on foods where a more subtle flavor is needed.
U.S. Grade A Medium
Amber- Medium amber color and a more pronounced bouquet. Characteristic
maple
flavor popular for table and all
around use.
U.S. Grade A Dark Amber- Dark amber color and a robust maple bouquet. A hearty maple flavor also very popular for table and all around use.
U.S. Grade B- The strongest and darkest grade maple syrup, primarily used for cooking.
Grade "A" Dark Amber
(Left) Grade "A" Fancy
(Left)
Grade "B" Syrup
(Right)
Grade "A" Medium (Right)
Nutritional Value of Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup is a natural food,
processed from the pure sap of maple trees.
During processing, the natural nutrients
remain in the syrup.
Sugars-
The main sugar in pure maple syrup is sucrose.
The darker grades of syrup also
contain a small, variable amounts of fructose and glucose.
In order of sweetness, sucrose is
less sweeter than fructose but more
sweet than glucose.
Minerals and Vitamins- Maple syrup also contains
minerals, vitamins and amino acids. The primary minerals
are: calcium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium,
and iron. Vitamins include riboflavin,
pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, niacin, bioten, and folic acid.
Calories per tablespoon-
Pure Maple
Syrup 40 calories
Molasses
40 calories
Honey
45 calories
Cane
Sugar
52 calories
Corn
Syrup
60 calories
Cooking With Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup is a perfect for pouring
over pancakes, waffles, and ice cream or finishing sticky buns
but it can also add flavor
and replace refined sugar in a number of Recipes
100% Pure Maple Syrup can substitute
for white, granulated sugar in most recipes.
For each cup (1 cup) of granulated sugar,
use 1 1/2 cups of pure maple sugar.
100% Pure Maple Syrup has a higher
moisture content than granulated sugar,
so decrease the amount of liquid called
for in the recipe, such as milk or water, by 2 to 4 tablespoons.
Decrease the oven temperature by 25
degrees. Maple Syrup tends to caramelize and burn
on the top and edges sooner than a batter
which uses granulated sugar.
Where Can I Get Some Pure Maple Syrup?
We Have Syrup Year Round, Call or
Email For Availability And Pricing
sales@hopevalleysugarhouse.com
Please Sign Our Guest Book
View Our Guest Book
Any web site questions or problems please email me webmaster@hopevalleysugarhouse.com
This Page Was Updated 05/27/2008 10:36 PM