What Color Maple Syrup Should I Buy?

There are four factors used to classify pure maple syrup. They are clarity, density, color, and flavor. They are used to assess the quality and integrity of maple syrup for producers who want to sell in a retail or wholesale market. For many years these designations remained unchanged and were supported by the North American Maple Syrup Council. In recent years however, changes in technology have significantly altered the maple syrup production processes. One of these changes is the use of Reverse Osmosis machines. R.O. machines allow the condensing of sap before the cooking process begins. This results in the manufacturing of lighter syrups than previous industry standards and spurred the debate about how we classify syrup based on color. In 2012 the International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI) suggested the grading change, wanting to clarify misunderstandings about quality, refinement, and processing methods. The USDA standardized the change in 2015.

The old system consisted of three Grades (A, B, and C). Grade A included Light Amber (aka Fancy), Medium Amber, and Dark Amber. These three were considered table grade as they were milder in flavor and generally used to make confections or to eat with pancakes and waffles. Grade B was considered a cooking grade syrup as it had a stronger flavor that held up in complex recipes and the third and final grade, Grade C, had a very strong flavor that was best used in commercial products like cow feed and tabaco.

The new grading system combines Grade A’s and Grade B to just one grade; Grade A, with the four colors being called Golden , Amber , Dark, and Very Dark . There is still a fifth grade called “Commercial” that is darker than any of the Grade A syrups but is almost always an “off flavor” syrup made late in the season that is not suitable for table use. It is important to understand that all the syrup grades are processed the same way.

The first option in the new Grade A is the Golden Color (in the old system this was similar to the light amber). This variety of syrup is delicate in its taste as it has a mild maple flavor. The color of the syrup is pale in its color which allows for high light transmittance of more than 75%.

The second variety of Grade A is the Amber Color (this is a combination of medium and dark amber from the prior grading system). This syrup offers a tawny amber color that provides a rich maple flavor. This kind of syrup allows a light transmittance of 50% - 74.9%.

The next darkest color of syrup in Grade A is the Dark Color (previously known as Grade B). With a dark bronze color it offers syrup lovers with a full-bodied maple flavor. To classify this syrup, a light transmittance of 25% - 49.9% is needed.

Lastly, the Grade B syrup from the old grading system is now classified as Grade A with a Very Dark Color. It provides the strongest taste of maple syrup with a dark brown color. This syrup can be classified when less than 25% of light is transmitted through it.

When the season first begins in early spring, the color of the syrup is the lightest and as the season progresses, the color becomes gradually darker. The darkest syrup is produced just before the trees start budding, signaling the end of the sap season. Sugar content of the sap also determines the color of the syrup. In the beginning of the season the sugar content of the sap that is collected is a lot higher allowing for a short boil. As the season progresses, the sugar content drops requiring a longer boiling time and making the syrup darker in color. It is important to note that the Maple Syrup Council’s descriptions and use guidelines are just suggestions. Personal preference and what kind of flavor one likes best should be your first consideration. We hope you will get an opportunity to taste test them all! 

To learn more about Sap Season check out our previous blog, Sapping 101, or in our informational videos about tapping found on our Instagram and Facebook pages. You can also follow us along in our day to day lives on the farm on our YouTube channel. All colors of Grade A syrup are available for purchase on our website or in our store and please enjoy our syrup in one of our featured recipes from our recently published Pancakes Make People Happy cookbook, also available on our website or in the store!

Michaela Eppich, Communications Intern at Buck Hill Farm