When you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, don’t forget to consider using maple syrup
which contains fewer calories and a higher concentration of minerals than honey. It is available throughout the year in your local supermarket.
Maple syrup is one of the many wonders of the world. This viscous amber liquid with its characteristic earthy sweet taste is made from the sap of the sugar, black or red maple tree. The process of creating maple syrup begins with tapping (piercing) the tree, which allows the sap to run out freely. The sap is clear and almost tasteless and very low in sugar content when it is first tapped. It is then boiled to evaporate the water producing syrup with the characteristic flavor and color of maple syrup and sugar content of 60%.
Since maple sap color and consistency various throughout the sugaring season not all maple syrup produced is identical. Therefore a grading system is used. The United States and Canada use a slightly different system but both are based on how light or dark the syrup is. Grade B maple syrup or dark syrups are often used for cooking while lighter syrups are often used on pancakes or even ice cream.
Pure Maple Syrup Drippings 