Where to Buy - Maple from Canada (2024)

FAQs

What is the best grade of maple syrup in Canada? ›

Previously Called: Medium Amber or Grade A: Dark Amber

This is usually the most appreciated grade for those seeking a traditional maple syrup flavour. We recommend this maple syrup on anything sweet. From pancakes to sweet desserts, you will find that Grade A amber maple syrup is just the right intensity.

Virtually all of the world's maple syrup is produced in Canada and the United States.

Many prepared foods that are unopened and commercially labeled are admissible (excluding meats and meat products). You may bring bakery items and most cheeses into the United States. As a general rule, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, maple syrup, coffee, fish, tea, and baby formula are admissible.

Maple trees can be found in every province from coast to coast. While there are ten species of maple trees native to Canada, Quebec's sugar maple is widely believed to produce the best maple syrup. Towards the end of March, an annual tradition begins at sugar shacks across Quebec.

Canada and the US have different standards for maple syrup. In Canada, it must be made entirely from maple sap. In the US, it must be mostly maple sap, but can also include additives like—sit down for this one—salt.

Canada produces more than 70% of the world's maple syrup including one of our Test Kitchen's favorites: Escuminac Extra Rare Maple Syrup. This Grade A syrup is sourced from a single forest in Quebec.

Can I send maple syrup from Canada to the US? Under the US customs laws, packaged syrups are generally admissible without restrictions. Thus, if you have bought maple syrup in Canada and intend to send it abroad, you can do it by post or through courier services.

It might be sweet and delicious, but maple syrup also contains 54 beneficial compounds and is an unexpected source of essential minerals, including calcium, zinc, magnesium and potassium. The unique polyphenol, quebecol, is found in maple syrup.

Labor and Time Investment

Producing maple syrup is labor-intensive and time-consuming. It takes about 40 liters of sap to produce just one liter of syrup. The entire process requires careful monitoring and a lot of manual labor, from tapping the trees to boiling the sap.

Prohibited or restricted items may include meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil and products made from animal or plant materials. For generally allowed food items please visit USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Are you allowed to bring maple syrup on a plane? ›

You can bring 100mL or less of liquids, aerosols and/or gels providing they are in containers less than 100 ml in size. This means your bottles of Canadian rye whiskey and maple syrup should be checked in your baggage (unless you buy them at Duty Free past security).

Organic. 100% pure. Canada grade A - Amber, Rich Taste. Rich taste.

Although the average bottle of real maple syrup tastes relatively the same, there is certainly more colorful and tasteful variation among Vermont producers that Canadian maple syrup lacks.

Maple syrup should be kept in the refrigerator once it's opened so as to discourage mold from growing on the syrup. Should mold grow on maple syrup, it's safe and easy to remove. Just scoop the mold off the top of the syrup with a spoon and discard the mold.

Another reason maple grading was changed was that consumers perceived or assumed that grade B was an inferior quality syrup. In turn, many would seek out grade A dark when there was no such thing. Or they would expect a lower price point for grade B dark. In actuality, grade B is equal in quality to grade A.

Despite the variation on the outside, the syrup inside can only be one of four grades—Golden, Amber, Dark or Very Dark. Maple grades are made of two components, color and flavor, and the flavor corresponds with the color. The darker the syrup, the stronger the maple flavor.

Although the average bottle of real maple syrup tastes relatively the same, there is certainly more colorful and tasteful variation among Vermont producers that Canadian maple syrup lacks.

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.