We all love to drizzle maple syrup over pancakes and waffles, but the real stuff can be awfully expensive in normal years. This year, thanks to an early spring and record high summer temperatures, there was a smaller maple syrup harvest -- and that means even higher prices for us, like $20 for a pint. Ouch!
So we decided to check out some alternatives: Maple-flavored syrups. We lined up seven different syrups plus a homemade maple-flavored syrup for a taste test here at the CafeMom office. And just for fun, we threw in some real maple syrup to see if people could tell the difference. The results will reassure those of you who've been buying the imitation maple syrup -- looks like you're not really missing out on much.
Out of all the syrups, including real maple syrup, the top three are: Aunt Jemima original, Aunt Jemima butter lite, and Eggo original. Those three were tied for first. The real maple syrup was just one point behind as the second favorite. But yeah ... people seemed to like the fake stuff better. Folks do love their high fructose corn syrup (first ingredient listed for those top three).
And don't bother making your own syrup from scratch. Apparently no one was impressed with that stuff. Perfectly easy to make, but it's just not as good.
I'm floored by these results. I buy the real stuff -- I have a good source, let's just put it that way -- and haven't bought fake syrup since college. But I only have one kid so the expense is manageable. Plus, maple syrup has all kinds of health benefits. And if you get Grade B, it's a lot less expensive. So I'm ignoring these results and sticking with the real maple syrup!
And here's why: I had my son do a taste test with real and fake maple syrup, and not only could he tell which one was real, he prefers it. So we're stuck! But that's fine with me.
Meanwhile, can we talk about what people HATE? I included a maple-flavored agave syrup (brand shall go unnamed) and the consensus on that was YUCK. A few people said it tasted like fish. Others mentioned it had a bitter or alcoholic taste. One person simply asked, "What the hell was that?"
So now you know the three syrups that pass the CafeMom test, and the one syrup you should definitely avoid. Here's to many happy morning pancake breakfasts this season!
Do you buy artificial maple syrup or real maple syrup?
The results will reassure those of you who've been buying the imitation maple syrup -- looks like you're not really missing out on much. Out of all the syrups, including real maple syrup, the top three are: Aunt Jemima
Aunt Jemima
Pearl Milling Company is a North American brand for pancake mix, table syrup, and other breakfast food products. The original version of the pancake mix was developed in 1888–1889, and was advertised as the first "ready-mix" cooking product.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Pearl_Milling_Company
If you find a product on the shelf labeled “maple syrup” or "Grade A"—or it lists “maple sugar” as an ingredient—it's the real thing. Those qualifiers tell you the product comes from a maple tree and has a sweeter, more complex taste, a thicker, more luxurious texture, and a higher price.
Butterworth's is not real maple syrup. The brand needs to clarify what exactly their syrup is “rich” in since it contains 0% actual maple syrup. The next time you ask yourself if your favorite pancake syrup is gluten free, vegan or how many calories it has; dive deeper into the ingredients to make sure it is not toxic.
As one of the most iconic syrup brands in U.S. history, Log Cabin, has the dubious honor today of containing zero maple syrup. But that wasn't always the case. 1904 Towle's advertisem*nt featuring Log Cabin Penoche Syrup.
The results will reassure those of you who've been buying the imitation maple syrup -- looks like you're not really missing out on much. Out of all the syrups, including real maple syrup, the top three are: Aunt Jemima original, Aunt Jemima butter lite, and Eggo original. Those three were tied for first.
Table syrup, also known as pancake syrup and waffle syrup, is a syrup used as a topping on pancakes, waffles, and french toast, often as an alternative to maple syrup.
On February 9, 2021, PepsiCo announced that the replacement brand name would be Pearl Milling Company. PepsiCo purchased that brand name for that purpose on February 1, 2021. The new branding was launched that June, one year after the company announced they would drop Aunt Jemima branding.
Vermont is a leading producer of maple syrup, and the Ackermann Maple Farm does the state proud with its pure maple syrup. The maple syrup, which is boiled using a natural wood fire, comes from over 6,400 trees on a family farm in Cabot, Vermont.
It takes about 40 gallons of maple sap — and nothing else — to make one gallon of real maple syrup. By contrast, the artificial stuff — think Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butterworth's — is mostly corn syrup. Fake maple syrup resembles real maple syrup about as much as Velveeta resembles a good Camembert.
Our small farm producers in Quebec, Canada, harvest the sap of the maple tree and then boil it; this simple process creates delicious Clarks Maple Syrup– it really is as simple as that!
The fate of the Log Cabin Syrup company brand was ultimately to be sold to the Postum Company, later to be named General Foods, but as the story shares, that was not the end of the blended syrup business for the Towle family in St. Paul. Click this link to access a PDF copy of the article.
Maple syrup must meet United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards. All USDA Grade A maple syrup must be 100% pure with no additives. It must have a minimum density of 66 brix, equal to 66% sugar. Individual state requirements may vary.
Costco only sells Grade A amber syrup. Buyers looking for a light or robust taste will not find Grade A golden or dark at a Costco. Costco maple syrup also has maple syrup as its sole ingredient – making it 100% organic.
Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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