Different Grades of Syrup
Since equipment has evolved sugar makers have been able to increase the quality of their sap. Before the evaporator, sap was of a dark amber caused by all the impurities and bacteria growing in it. Nowadays, you can buy dark amber, medium amber, and fancy depending on your taste preference. According to sap makers, medium amber is the most popular grade although most sugar makers enjoy the more delicate taste of the fancy syrup.
Both taste and color differ in each of the grades.
Fancy
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FANCY syrup is usually the sap that runs at the beginning of the season when the sap has the highest sugar content. Fancy is a light colored syrup which has a more slight taste of sap. Often people think fancy grade is thinner than medium but, all of the saps are of the same thickness. |
Grade A- Medium Amber
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MEDIUM AMBER has a lower sugar content than grade A which results in a longer boiling time. The syrup is slightly darker than Grade A and has a stronger maple flavor. Medium Amber is most popular among consumers because it does not have an overwhelming taste and it is not too light. |
Grade A- Dark Amber:
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DARK AMBER GRADE A is a grade below the medium amber and has less sugar content than the medium. Dark Amber Grade A is noted for its dark color and strong taste. Both of the dark ambers would be typical of the times when sap makers boiled outside over fires. |
Grade B-Dark Amber
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DARK AMBER GRADE B is made latest in the season and when the sugar content is at its lowest. The flavor is the strongest and the color is the darkest. This syrup is often used in cooking and baking because of its flavor. |
