!#8# Grade A Maple Syrup is Better Than Grade B, Right?

!±8± Grade A Maple Syrup is Better Than Grade B, Right?

When it comes to maple syrup, grade A is better than grade B right? Well, no, not necessarily. While the grade assigned to a syrup does tell you something about its flavor, it doesn't really tell you whether it tastes good.

You see, the current grading system comes from a time when maple syrup production was as a substitute for sugar long ago, when sugar had to be shipped in from thousands of miles away. This made maple syrup a good local source of sugar even if it was a bit labor intensive to produce.

The grade a syrup earns is determined by how much light can pass through the syrup. Clear syrup had less of a maple flavor and therefore tasted more like pure sugar made from sugar cane. So, the highest grades were given to the lightest syrups. In short, syrup grading can only tell us how strong the maple flavor of a syrup is likely to be. NOT how good it tastes.

Maple syrup produced in different regions and even from farm to farm will vary in taste. Elevation, mix of trees species tapped, local weather conditions, and production methods ensure that no two maple syrups taste exactly the same. Much like wine, syrup from the same farm can even be different from year to year.

So what maple syrup should you choose? The real answer is you are going to have to try a few different sources and decide for yourself which you prefer. That said, there are some general guidelines based on syrup grade that might help you.

Grade A light amber has a very light, delicate maple flavor. Many people choose to use grade A light amber on ice cream or on food that won't overpower the syrup. Much like you wouldn't pair a light white wine with a big steak. Grade A medium amber, while more flavorful that light amber, still has a mild maple flavor. Medium amber, being in the middle of the spectrum, is often the default maple syrup that people buy. Many people, even in syrup country, have only ever tried grade A medium amber. As you might expect, grade A dark Amber has a deeper, more full-bodied maple flavor.

Grade B dark syrup has a deep, robust flavor, even more flavorful that grade A dark amber. Grade A dark amber and grade B are often used for cooking. Grade B is renowned by foodies around the world and is called for by a number of detox diets.

All of these are great on pancakes and waffles, which grade you use is an individual preference. So go ahead, try a few different syrups and see which you like the best for different uses.