Maple Syrup

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venture

Smoking Guru
Original poster
OTBS Member
Aug 1, 2008
6,948
73
Central California
Being a non chef, I just recently learned there are different grades of maple syrup.

When I started making bacons, I went and bought a bottle of "pure" maple syrup for glazing purposes. It is defined as "grade A" with a note of "light amber".

Watching a show on TV tonight, I saw the use of grade B maple syrup.  It was selected because it was darker in color and supposedly had a different flavor profile.

Definitely a heads up for those who didn't know, like me?

Also, I am wondering?  For use as a glaze on bacons, might the Grade B be preferable?

Aside from the heads up, I am hoping for some input from the more experienced and the Master Chefs here!

Good luck and good smoking.
 
Grade B is awesome and most frequently purchased by Bakers and Chef's in the know because Ounce for Ounce it is Cheaper and has a stronger Maple Flavor so less goes farther. It is much darker in color and isn't as Pretty as the Premium Light Amber Grade A, but I'll take taste over color anytime!...JJ
 
   The different grades are developed due to the times of harvest. The light amber grade "A" is harvested during the warmer months of the year when the tree sap is very thin. The grade "B" dark amber is harvested in the winter months when the sap is much thicker and therefor darker and more aromatic. I rub my pork butts with grade "B" maple syrup before applying my rub. It gives the rub a good base to stick to and adds a caramelization to the bark of the butt.
 
Excellent start and I bet more to come!

I meant to post this in the Chef's Corner but my puter skills tripped me up.

I think before this is done I will learn even more!

Thanks guys!

Good luck and good smoking.
 
The Maple season begins when the weather starts staying at or above 40*F during the day, in late February/early March and continues for 6 to 8 weeks or until the Air temps get above 50*F, in April, and the trees go to Bud. Early in the season the Lightest color syrup is produced and as the weather warms and more starch is converted to sugar the syrup will be Darker and less clear. There are a couple of farms not far from me and one of my students families owned one, really awesome to see the operation.  Here is some short, good info...JJ

http://www.maplesugarrecipe.com/grade-b-maple-syrup.html

http://www.foodreference.com/html/artmaplesyrup.html
 
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Now that would be good to have around.
 
Do not know what grade it is but I have a friend in N.H. that makes his own Maple Syrup and sends me a bottle every year..Its some good stuff. I like to make Maple glazed pecan halves in one of my cast iron skillets....
 
   The different grades are developed due to the times of harvest. The light amber grade "A" is harvested during the warmer months of the year when the tree sap is very thin. The grade "B" dark amber is harvested in the winter months when the sap is much thicker and therefor darker and more aromatic. I rub my pork butts with grade "B" maple syrup before applying my rub. It gives the rub a good base to stick to and adds a caramelization to the bark of the butt.
Bit of a miss.  Maple season is the time at the end of winter as the daytime temps begin to warm.  It lasts 5-7 weeks depending on where you are located.  The early season produces more light colored syrup, whereas the darker grade "B" syrup comes a bit later usually.  But it also depends on where your maple woods are and how much cold and sun exposure they get.  The grade "B" is a lot darker and has a stronger deeper flavor.  It is favored for recipes ans such because it is not only cheaper, but provides more flavor.
 
No matter what the grade, hard to beat drinking cold beers in the sugar house and sampling real maple syrup fresh off the arch.
 
Grade A comes in 3 types- light amber, medium amber and dark amber. Look for medium or dark amber in stores , they have the best flavor.

Grade B is sold to commercial food producers only, not retail.
 
   The different grades are developed due to the times of harvest. The light amber grade "A" is harvested during the warmer months of the year when the tree sap is very thin. The grade "B" dark amber is harvested in the winter months when the sap is much thicker and therefor darker and more aromatic. I rub my pork butts with grade "B" maple syrup before applying my rub. It gives the rub a good base to stick to and adds a caramelization to the bark of the butt.

maple syrup.....

generally for cooking grade B or the "darker" syrup is just fine... the grade A syrup is the first syrup of the year, it is when the sap starts to rise from the roots of the tree and attempt to get to the branches of the tree. but the cold temps at night force it back down. so when the above freezing time is short during the day the sap rises but never makes it out of the main trunk. this is when you get grade A syrup. as weather warms and it starts to make it to the branches the syrup made will be darker in color. when it gets to the point of the sap reaching the buds on the tree the sap is no longer desireable for making syrup. sap is only collected when the temps are above freezing during the day but below freezing at night.
 
I have received both A and B as gifts and actually love the B in cooking and the A on pancakes. The B really has a deeper flavor profile at least on my tounge  
 
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