NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Maple syrup

Maple syrup is a sweetener made from the sap of maple trees. It is most often eaten with pancakes, waffles, or french toast. It is sometimes used as an ingredient in baking, the making of candy (confection) or in preparing desserts. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (564x1121, 78 KB) Summary Bottle of maple syrup from Quebec. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (564x1121, 78 KB) Summary Bottle of maple syrup from Quebec. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... Download high resolution version (1024x663, 97 KB)Description: Photo of a maple sugar house. ... Download high resolution version (1024x663, 97 KB)Description: Photo of a maple sugar house. ... Leafhoppers and many other insects feed off plant sap Sap is the fluid transported in xylem cells (tracheids or vessel elements) or phloem sieve tube elements of a plant. ... For other uses, see Maple (disambiguation). ... Two pancakes with maple syrup. ... This article is about the food item. ... For the band, see French Toast (band) French toast serving French toast (often known as eggy bread in the UK, pain perdu in French) is a popular breakfast food in North America, Europe and Hong Kong. ... Wikibooks Cookbook has an article on Baking Baking is the technique of prolonged cooking of food by dry heat acting by conduction, and not by radiation, normally in an oven, but also in hot ashes, or on hot stones. ... For other uses, see Candy (disambiguation). ... The term confectionery refers to food items rich in sugar. ... Not to be confused with Desert. ...

Production

Maple syrup originates in northeastern North America, and is commonly associated with Quebec in Canada and Vermont in the U.S. However, given the correct weather conditions, it can be made wherever maple trees grow. Usually, the maple species used are the sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and the black maple (Acer nigrum), because of the high sugar content in the sap. A maple syrup production farm is called a "sugar bush" or "the sugarwoods". Sap is boiled in a "sugar house" (also known as a "sugar shack" or cabane à sucre), a building which is louvered at the top to vent the steam from the boiling sap. North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Binomial name Acer saccharum Marshall The Sugar Maple Acer saccharum is a prominent tree in the hardwood forests of eastern North America. ... Binomial name Acer nigrum F.Michx. ... Sugar bush refers to a forest stand which is exploited for maple syrup. ... Obelisk at 2100 South 1100 East in Sugar House Sugar House (also spelled Sugarhouse) is one of Salt Lake City, Utahs oldest neighborhoods. ... A louver (or louvre in British English, from French louvert; the open one) is a frame with horizontal and vertical slats, which are angled to admit light and air, but to keep out rain and sun shine. ...

Canada makes more than 80 percent of the world's maple syrup, producing about 7 million US gallons in 2005. The vast majority of this comes from Quebec: the province is by far the world's largest producer, with about 75 percent of the world production (6.5 million US gallons in 2005).[1] The provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick produce smaller amounts. U.S. customary units, also known in the United States as English units[1] (but see English unit) or standard units, are units of measurement that are currently used in the USA, in some cases alongside units from SI (the International System of Units â€” the modern metric system). ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English (de facto) Government - Lieutenant-Governor David C. Onley - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area... Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit(Latin) One defends and the other conquers Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Regional Municipality Official languages English, Canadian Gaelic Government - Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis - Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 11 - Senate seats 10 Confederation July 1, 1867... This article is about the Canadian province. ...

Vermont is the biggest U.S. producer, with 410,000 US gallons in 2005, followed by Maine, New York, Ohio, and then a half-dozen other states with smaller industries. Official language(s) None (English and French de facto) Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Area Ranked 39th - Total 33,414 sq mi (86,542 kmÂ²) - Width 210 miles (338 km) - Length 320 miles (515 km) - % water 13. ... This article is about the state. ... Official language(s) English de facto Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Greater Cleveland Area Ranked 34th - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 kmÂ²) - Width 220 miles (355 km) - Length 220 miles (355 km) - % water 8. ...

Traditionally, maple syrup was harvested by tapping a maple tree through the bark and into the wood xylem, then letting the sap run into a bucket, which required daily collecting; less labour-intensive methods such the use of continuous plastic pipelines have since superseded this, in all but cottage-scale production. Lactose is a disaccharide found in milk. ... Dietary fibers are the indigestible portion of plant foods that move food through the digestive system, absorbing water and making defecation easier. ... In chemistry, especially biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid often with a long unbranched aliphatic tail (chain), which is either saturated or unsaturated. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... Thiamine mononitrate Thiamine or thiamin, also known as vitamin B1, is a colorless compound with chemical formula C12H17ClN4OS. It is soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol. ... Riboflavin (E101), also known as vitamin B2, is an easily absorbed micronutrient with a key role in maintaining health in animals. ... Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid or vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin whose derivatives such as NADH, NAD, NAD+, and NADP play essential roles in energy metabolism in the living cell and DNA repair. ... Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5 (a B vitamin), is a water-soluble vitamin required to sustain life (essential nutrient). ... Pyridoxine Pyridoxal phosphate Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin. ... Folic acid (the anion form is called folate) is a B-complex vitamin (once called vitamin M) that is important in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs) in the developing human fetus. ... This article is about the nutrient. ... For other uses, see Calcium (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Iron (disambiguation). ... Introduction Magnesium is an essential element in biological systems. ... General Name, symbol, number phosphorus, P, 15 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 3, p Appearance waxy white/ red/ black/ colorless Standard atomic weight 30. ... General Name, symbol, number potassium, K, 19 Chemical series alkali metals Group, period, block 1, 4, s Appearance silvery white Standard atomic weight 39. ... General Name, symbol, number zinc, Zn, 30 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 12, 4, d Appearance bluish pale gray Standard atomic weight 65. ... Reference Daily Intake (RDI) is the daily dietary intake level of a nutrient considered sufficient to meet the requirements of nearly all (97â€“98%) healthy individuals in each life-stage and gender group. ... In vascular plants, xylem is one of the two types of transport tissue in plants, phloem being the other one. ...

Production is concentrated in February, March and April, depending on local weather conditions. Freezing nights and warm days are needed in order to induce sap flows. The change in temperature from above to below freezing causes water uptake from the soil, and temperatures above freezing cause a stem pressure to develop, which, along with gravity, causes sap to flow out of tapholes or other wounds in the stem or branches. To collect the sap, holes are bored into the maple trees and tubes (taps, spouts, spiles) are inserted. Sap flows through the spouts into buckets or into plastic tubing. Modern use of plastic tubing with a partial vacuum has enabled increased production. A hole must be drilled in a new location each year, as the old hole will produce sap for only one season due to the natural healing process of the tree, called walling-off. Maple sap is collected from the buckets and taken to the sugar house; if plastic tubing and pipelines are used, then the pipelines are arranged so that the sap will flow by gravity into the sugar house, or if that is not possible, into holding tanks from which the sap is pumped or transported by tanker truck to the sugar house. A spile is a small wooden peg used to control the flow of carbon dioxide out of a cask of real ale. ... Look up Vacuum in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Obelisk at 2100 South 1100 East in Sugar House Sugar House (also spelled Sugarhouse) is one of Salt Lake City, Utahs oldest neighborhoods. ... Obelisk at 2100 South 1100 East in Sugar House Sugar House (also spelled Sugarhouse) is one of Salt Lake City, Utahs oldest neighborhoods. ...

During processing, called sugaring-off, the sap is fed automatically from a storage tank through a valve into a flat pan called an evaporator where the sap boils down until so much water is lost that it forms a sweet syrup. The process is slow, because of amount of water that must be boiled off. Approximately 40 litres of sap must be boiled down to make one litre of maple syrup (i.e., 39 litres of water must be boiled off). A mature sugar maple produces about 40 litres (10 gallons) of sap during the 4-6 week sugaring season. Trees are not tapped until they have a diameter of 25 centimetres (10 inches) at chest-height and the tree is at least 40 years old. Most contemporary producers use a 5/16" or 19/64" (7.94 mm or 7.54 mm) outside diameter drill bit to drill with. A tap hole depth of 1" to 1 1/2" (25 mm to 38 mm) is a commonly recommended depth. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2592 Ã— 1944 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2592 Ã— 1944 pixel, file size: 2. ...

Starting in the 1970s, some maple syrup producers started using reverse osmosis to remove water from sap before being further boiled down to syrup. The use of reverse osmosis allows approximately 75 to 80% of the water to be removed from the sap prior to boiling, reducing energy consumption and exposure of the syrup to high temperatures. Microbial contamination and degradation of the membranes has to be monitored. Reverse osmosis is a separation process that uses pressure to force a solvent through a membrane that retains the solute on one side and allows the pure solvent to pass to the other side. ... A foodborne illness (also foodborne disease) is any illness resulting from the consumption of food. ... Look up cell membrane in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Maple syrup is sometimes boiled down further to make maple sugar, a hard candy usually sold in pressed blocks, and maple toffee. Intermediate levels of boiling can also be used to create various intermediate products, including maple cream (less hard and granular than maple sugar) and maple butter (creamy, with a consistency slightly less thick than peanut butter). Maple sugar is created when the blood of the dingo is boiled for longer than is needed to create maple syrup or [maple toffee. ... Molten syrup being poured on clean snow to create maple toffee Maple toffee is a confection that is made by boiling maple sap past the point where it would form maple syrup but not so long that it becomes maple butter or sugar. ... Maple cream is a confection that is made from maple syrup by cooking, cooling, and whipping it until it reaches a smooth consistency. ... Maple butter is a confection that is made from maple syrup, by cooking, cooling, and whipping it until it reaches a smooth consistency. ...

Starting in the mid 80's, northern communities in the province of Quebec began to open the "Cabane à Sucre" or Sugar Shacks to the public. These sugar shacks were generally located on large maple farms and often were built solely for tourist purposes. These sugar shacks serve maple syrup direct to the public and also are often restaurants serving maple syrup inspired meals and treats.

Grades

U.S., Vermont, and Canadian grading

Grading standards are the same for most of the United States. Maple syrup is divided into two major grades, Grade A and Grade B. Grade A is further broken down into three subgrades: Grade A Light Amber (sometimes known as "Fancy"), Grade A Medium Amber, and Grade A Dark Amber. Grade B is darker than Grade A Dark Amber. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets uses a similar grading system of color and taste. The grade "Vermont Fancy" is similar in color and taste to U.S Grade A Light (Fancy). The Vermont grading system differs from the U.S. in maintaining a very slightly higher standard of product density. Vermont maple is boiled just a bit longer for a slightly thicker product. The ratio of number of gallons of sap to gallon of finished syrup is higher in Vermont. Maple syrup is sold by liquid volume, not weight, however a gallon of Vermont Grade A Medium Amber weighs slightly more than a gallon of U.S. Grade A Medium Amber. The Vermont graded product has one-half percent more solids and less water in its composition. A non-table grade of syrup called "commercial," or Grade C is also produced. This is very dark, with a very strong flavour. Commercial maple syrup is generally used as a flavouring agent in other products. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 1497 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Maple syrup Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 1497 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Maple syrup Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... The Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets (VAAFM) or sometimes colloquially the agriculture department, is a Vermont executive agency (or cabinet agency). ... For other uses, see Volume (disambiguation). ...

In Canada, there are three grades containing several color classes, ranging from Canada #1, including Extra Light (sometimes known as AA), Light (A), and Medium (B); through #2, Amber (C); and finally #3 Dark (D). A typical year's yield will include about 25-30% of each of the #1 colors, 10% Amber, and 2% Dark. Extra light syrups are recommended for making maple sugar candy, on pancakes and waffles; Light for French toast, desserts and cereals; Medium for glazing, sweetening, or eating on its own. Number 2 grade syrups are intended for baking and flavouring. In addition, Canada #2 Amber may be labeled Ontario Amber for farm sales in that province only.^[1] Number 3 grade syrup is heavy, and restricted for use in commercial flavourings. For the band, see French Toast (band) French toast serving French toast (often known as eggy bread in the UK, pain perdu in French) is a popular breakfast food in North America, Europe and Hong Kong. ... A glaze in cooking is a coating of a glossy, often sweet, mixture applied to food. ...

The grades roughly correspond to what point in the season the syrup was made. U.S. Grade A Light Amber and Canada #1 Extra Light is early season syrup, while U.S. Grade B/Canada #2 and #3 is late season syrup. Typically Grade A (especially Grade A Light Amber) and #1 Extra Light has a milder, more delicate flavor than Grade B or #3, which is very dark with a robust flavor. The dark grades of syrup are primarily used for cooking and baking.

Off-flavours

Sometimes off-flavours are found in maple syrup. While this is more common toward the end of the season in the production of commercial grade product, it may also be present early in the season during the production of U.S. Grade A Light or Canada #1 grade. Identification of off-flavour in table grades is cause for ceasing production and either dumping the product or reclassifying the product as commercial grade if the off-flavour is slight. Off-flavours are described as: metabolism, derived from metabolic changes in the tree as spring arrives and having either a woody, popcorn, or sometimes peanutbutter-like flavour; buddy, referring to the swelling of the new buds and its impact on the flavour and having a bitter chocolate or burnt flavour; and ferment, an off-taste caused by fermentation and having a honey or fruity flavour, often accompanied by surface foam. Additionally, if trees are stressed or fighting off disease or insects (eg. gypsy moths), they will produce a folic-like acid causing a bad taste. After an ice storm, trees may also produce the same acid. Structure of the coenzyme adenosine triphosphate, a central intermediate in energy metabolism. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Fermentation (food). ... Binomial name Lymantria dispar Linnaeus, 1758 The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, is a moth in the family Lymantriidae of Eurasian origin. ...

Use in food and cultural significance

Maple syrup and its artificial imitations are the preferred toppings for crêpes, pancakes, waffles, and French toast in North America. Maple syrup can also be used for a variety of uses, including: biscuits, fresh donuts, fried dough, fritters, ice cream, hot cereal, and fresh fruit (especially grapefruit). It is also used as sweetener for applesauce, baked beans, candied sweet potatoes, winter squash, cakes, pies, breads, fudge and other candy, milkshakes, tea, coffee, and hot toddies. Download high resolution version (800x814, 150 KB)Description: Photograph of plastic tubing used in maple sugar production. ... Download high resolution version (800x814, 150 KB)Description: Photograph of plastic tubing used in maple sugar production. ... The base material for multiple crÃªpes A sweet crÃªpe opened up, with whipped cream and strawberry sauce on it A crÃªpe (pronounced IPA /kreÉªp/, French /kÊ€É›p/) is a type of very thin raw fish usually made grown in the ocean or sea. ... Two pancakes with maple syrup. ... This article is about the food item. ... For the band, see French Toast (band) French toast serving French toast (often known as eggy bread in the UK, pain perdu in French) is a popular breakfast food in North America, Europe and Hong Kong. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... For other uses, see Biscuit (disambiguation). ... Fried dough Fried dough stand Dough being deep-fat fried Fried dough is a North American food associated with outdoor food stands in carnivals, fairs, and seaside resorts (though it can be made at home). ... An apple fritter Malaysian roadside fritters A fritter is any kind of food coated in batter and deep fried. ... Missing image Ice cream is often served on a stick Boxes of ice cream are often found in stores in a display freezer. ... â€¹ The template below is being considered for deletion. ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Macfad. ... A bowl of applesauce Applesauce (or apple sauce) is a purÃ©e that is made from stewed and mashed apples. ... Baked beans and scrambled egg on toast. ... Binomial name L. Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Species - hubbard squash, buttercup squash - cushaw squash C. moschata- butternut squash C. pepo- most pumpkins, acorn squash, summer squash References: ITIS 223652002-11-06 Hortus Third Squashes are four species of the genus Cucurbita, also called pumpkins and marrows depending on variety or the nationality of the speaker. ... For other uses, see Cake (disambiguation). ... This article is about the baked good, for other uses see Pie (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Bread (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fudge (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Candy (disambiguation). ... A strawberry milkshake topped with whipped cream and strawberry syrup A milkshake is a sweet, cold beverage which is made from milk, ice cream, and sweet flavourings such as fruit syrup or chocolate sauce (in Canada and most regions of the United States, and the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see Tea (disambiguation). ... For the several U.S. counties named Coffee, see Coffee County. ... Hot toddy is a name, used in the English-speaking world (originally Scotland), for a mixed drink that is served hot. ...

Maple syrup and maple sugar were used during the American Civil War and by abolitionists in the years prior to the war because most cane sugar and molasses was produced by Southern slaves. During food rationing in World War II, people in the northeastern United States were encouraged to stretch their sugar rations by sweetening foods with maple syrup and maple sugar, and recipe books were printed to help housewives employ this alternate source. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... This article is about the abolition of slavery. ... Species Saccharum arundinaceum Saccharum bengalense Saccharum edule Saccharum officinarum Saccharum procerum Saccharum ravennae Saccharum robustum Saccharum sinense Saccharum spontaneum Sugarcane or Sugar cane (Saccharum) is a genus of 6 to 37 species (depending on taxonomic interpretation) of tall perennial grasses (family Poaceae, tribe Andropogoneae), native to warm temperate to tropical... Molasses or treacle is a thick syrup by-product from the processing of the sugarcane or sugar beet into sugar. ... The U.S. Southern states or The South, known during the American Civil War era as Dixie, is a distinctive region of the United States with its own unique historical perspective, customs, musical styles, and cuisine. ... Slave sale in Easton, Maryland The history of slavery in the United States (1619-1865) began soon after the English colonists first settled in Virginia and lasted until the passage of the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

In New England, Quebec and eastern Ontario, the process has become part of the culture. One tradition is going to sugar houses (cabanes à sucre) in early spring for meals served with maple syrup-based products, especially the dish known variously as maple taffee (in English Canada), Tire sur la neige (in Quebec), and sugar on snow (in the United States). This is thickened hot syrup poured onto fresh snow and then eaten off sticks as it quickly cools. This thick maple syrup-based candy is served with yeast-risen doughnuts, sour dill pickles, and coffee. Owing to the sugar maple tree's predominance in southeastern Canada (where European settlement of what would become Canada began), its leaf has come to symbolize the country, and is depicted on its flag. Several U.S. states, including New York and Vermont, have the sugar maple as their state tree. A scene of sap collection is depicted on the Vermont state quarter. Molten syrup being poured on clean snow to create the soft maple candy. ... English Canada is a term used to describe one of the following: English Canadians, a term usually meaning English-speaking or anglophone Canadians, the official language majority in the country except New-Brunswick and Quebec as well. ... For other uses, see Doughnut (disambiguation). ... A deli pickle. ... For the several U.S. counties named Coffee, see Coffee County. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas US Government Portal A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of... This List of U.S. state trees includes official trees of the following states and U.S. possessions: See also Lists of U.S. state insignia National Grove of State Trees External link USDA list of state trees and flowers Categories: U.S. state insignia | Lists of plants | Trees ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Obverse of redesigned quarter The 50 State Quarters program is the release of a series of commemorative coins by the United States Mint. ...

Imitation maple syrup

Many "maple-flavored syrups" are imitations (table syrups), which are less expensive than real maple syrup. In these syrups the primary ingredient is most often high fructose corn syrup flavored with sotolon, with little (2-3 percent) or no real maple syrup content. They are usually thickened far beyond the viscosity of real maple syrup. Since U.S. labeling laws prohibit these products from being labelled "maple syrup," many manufacturers simply call the imitation "syrup" or "pancake syrup." Québécois sometimes refer to imitation maple syrup as sirop de poteau ("pole syrup"), a joke referring to the syrup as having been made by tapping telephone poles. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) refers to a group of corn syrups which have undergone enzymatic processing in order to increase their fructose content and are then mixed with pure corn syrup (100% glucose) to reach their final form. ... Sotolon, also known as sotolone and fenugreek lactone, is an extremely powerful aroma compound with the typical smell of fenugreek and maple syrup. ... For other uses, see Viscosity (disambiguation). ... The law in the UK on food labeling is multifaceted and is spread over many reforms and parliamentary acts, making the subject complex. ... This article is about the use of the term. ... Pole carrying telephone, electricity and Cable TV equipment. ...

References

Contents

Production

Grades

U.S., Vermont, and Canadian grading

Off-flavours

Use in food and cultural significance

Imitation maple syrup

References

See also

External links

Contents

Production GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Grades

U.S., Vermont, and Canadian grading

Off-flavours

Use in food and cultural significance

Imitation maple syrup

References

See also

External links

Production