ALL ABOUT DENNIS FARMS MAPLE SYRUP

ALL ABOUT DENNIS FARMS MAPLE SYRUP

Here at Dennis Farms we run 4500 taps each year to make delicious, healthy maple syrup–but there is much to know about the product.

WHAT IS IT?–Sap from maple trees boiled down to a concentration of 66-67% sugar content.  CONTAINS NOTHING ELSE!

WHAT SUGARS ARE IN IT?—88-99% sucrose, 0-11% glucose & fructose.

WHY USE IT?—Unique, delicious taste; all natural product, no chemicals, preservatives or additives; health benefits.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS? Contains calcium, magnesium and zinc, the three most important minerals needed for good health; contains niacin, and vitamins B2 and B5; contains numerous antioxidant compounds, some also found in berries, tea, and red wine.

HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO OTHER SWEETENERS?

sweetener                 serving     calories    carbs                  minerals(over .5%DV)

Maple syrup               2 tsp              45         9g                  Manganese(22% DV), zinc(4% DV)

White(table)sugar     2 tsp              33         8g                                None

Agave nectar syrup   2 tsp             40          8g                               None

Honey                          2 tsp             43          11g                              None

HOW DO I USE IT?   Sweeten anything—coffee, tea, hot cereals, pancakes, waffles, french toast, on ice cream; excellent in iced tea and fruit smoothies; sugar substitute in baking(Use 3/4 cup maple syrup to replace 1 cup sugar, reduce heat 25 degrees, reduce liquids by about 2T per cup of maple syrup used).

WHAT ABOUT THE GRADES?  The grades of pure maple syrup are Light Amber(Fancy), Medium Amber, Dark Amber and Grade B.  The grades are based on color and flavor.  The grade of syrup depends on length of time boiling(the sugars brown over the heat)  and the % of glucose and fructose, these sugars brown more readily than sucrose and are present in higher amounts late in the production season.  Which grade to choose is strictly a matter of personal taste.

Light Amber is the color of champagne and has an extremely delicate flavor–it is used mainly in maple candy and maple cream

Medium Amber is a shade or two darker than Light Amber and has a mild maple flavor–this is used extensively as a table syrup

Dark Amber is another shade or two darker and has a strong maple flavor–it is used for baking or as a table syrup for those that prefer a stronger flavor

Grade B is darker still and has quite a robust maple flavor—it is good for cooking and baking, or if you like a very strong maple flavor

HOW DO YOU CARE FOR MAPLE SYRUP?

It is best kept refrigerated, even before opening.  This brings the flavor out, makes it thicker(won’t use it up as fast) and eliminates the possibility of mold.  Although a sealed container at the correct density won’t mold, if the storage temperature fluctuates, condensation could form under the lid and thin the top layer of syrup.   Thin syrup will mold.  If you open a container and it has a thin layer of mold on the top, you can use it if you remove the mold and heat the syrup to boiling.   If you want to store sealed maple syrup at room temperature, invert the container once a month and this should prevent any possibility of mold.

Keep the lid on your maple syrup when not pouring it.   Water evaporates easily from maple syrup.  If too much evaporates, your syrup will get too thick and sugar crystals(maple rock candy) will form inside the container

ENJOY DENNIS FARMS PURE MAPLE SYRUP, AN ALL-NATURAL TASTE OF NATURE!