Maple Syrup

1. Maple Syrup (Organic) Organic Maple Syrup: Nature's Nutrient-Rich Sweetener When it comes to sweeteners, maple syrup ranks pretty much at the top of the list in terms of nutritional value, which explains why it is among the most commonly consumed natural sweeteners worldwide. Sucrose is the most prevalent sugar in maple syrup, however, it is also nutritionally dense, containing over 24 antioxidants including manganese, riboflavin, zinc, and magnesium, as well as providing potent antioxidant properties. Maple Syrup As A Sweetener When it comes to sweeteners, maple syrup ranks pretty much at the top of the list in terms of nutritional value, which explains why it is among the most commonly consumed natural sweeteners worldwide. Sucrose is the most prevalent sugar in this alternative sweetener; however, it is also nutritionally dense, containing over 24 antioxidants including manganese, riboflavin, zinc, and magnesium, as well as providing potent antioxidant properties. Maple syrup is produced by boiling down sap that’s been collected from the xylem sap of sugar, red, or black maple trees, although it can also be made from other maple species. In Canada, maple syrup must be made exclusively from maple sap to qualify as “maple syrup” and must also be composed of at least 66% sugar. This syrup is often used as a condiment for pancakes, waffles, french toast, oatmeal, and porridge and is often used in baking and as a sweetener or flavouring agent. An important attribute of this alternative sweetener is that it goes through very minimal processing. While comparable in calories and carbs to sugar, maple syrup has a lower glycemic index. This means it causes a lower rise in blood glucose levels than table sugar, corn syrup, or brown rice syrup and is more similar to honey and agave syrup, all of which are considered more diabetes-friendly. Benefits of Maple Syrup      Bolsters Antioxidant protection Low Glycemic Index Sweetener May Help Fight Inflammation Promotes Skin Health Supplies Important Vitamins & Minerals Choosing the Finest Maple Syrup: A Guide to Your Selection When shopping for this product, it’s important to look at the label to be sure the product is 100% pure (i.e. made from 100% maple sap, rather then “pancake syrup”). While there are two grades of maple syrup, grade A and processing grade, only grade A is sold for culinary use, while processing grade is reserved for manufacturing. Grade A comes in four distinct types (or colour classes): Golden (Delicate Taste), Amber (Rich Taste), Dark (Robust Taste), and Very Dark (Strong Taste). The colour and flavour of syrup can vary during the season, as can its natural nutritional composition.