Golden Eagle syrup was a popular pancake syrup brand that was produced by the Maltose Falcon company and sold throughout the United States for many decades. However, in recent years, Golden Eagle syrup has become increasingly hard to find on store shelves, leading many to wonder if it is still being made.
Quick Answers
– Yes, Golden Eagle syrup is still being produced today, although on a smaller scale than in previous decades.
– The brand is currently owned by the Vermont Country Store, after being sold by the original Maltose Falcon company in the 1990s.
– Golden Eagle syrup can still be purchased online through the Vermont Country Store website, although it is not as widely distributed to grocery stores as it once was.
– The recipe and formula for Golden Eagle syrup remains the same as the original version first introduced in the 1920s.
History of Golden Eagle Syrup
Golden Eagle syrup first appeared on the market in the 1920s, produced by the Maltose Falcon company based in Whitehall, New York. Maltose Falcon was founded in 1894 as a maple syrup producer, later expanding into pancake syrups including its flagship Golden Eagle brand.
The ear of wheat depicted on the Golden Eagle syrup label was meant to convey the “wholesome, farm-fresh” quality of the syrup. It was marketed as a premium, high quality syrup option.
By the 1950s, Golden Eagle syrup was being distributed across the United States, appearing on grocery store shelves and diner tables nationwide. It was a top selling pancake syrup, competing with brands such as Log Cabin and Aunt Jemima.
Golden Eagle syrup’s popularity continued for decades, with the brand benefiting from nostalgia and strong customer loyalty. The packaging and logo design remained largely unchanged over the years.
Sale of Golden Eagle Syrup Brand
In 1993, Maltose Falcon was acquired by American Home Food Products, a large packaged foods conglomerate. This led to the eventual sale of the Golden Eagle syrup brand to the Vermont Country Store in 1998.
The Vermont Country Store is a mail-order and online retailer specializing in nostalgic New England foods and goods. Under their ownership, Golden Eagle syrup began being produced in smaller batches, tailored largely for direct to consumer sales.
While no longer produced at the same massive scale, the Vermont Country Store vowed to keep Golden Eagle syrup in production using the same traditional recipe.
Availability Today
Golden Eagle syrup can still be purchased today directly through the Vermont Country Store website, who owns the brand and produces the syrup in small batches. It is not as widely stocked by grocery stores and major retailers compared to its heyday in the 20th century.
However, fans of the classic brand can still get their hands on a bottle of Golden Eagle syrup for a taste of nostalgia. The packaging design also remains true to the original vintage look.
According to the Vermont Country Store website, they produce Golden Eagle syrup in small groups four times a year, which often leads to the product being temporarily out of stock. Availability fluctuates based on demand.
The Vermont Country Store also sells reproduction tin lunch boxes and other Golden Eagle memorabilia for ultimate fans of the syrup brand.
Online Availability
While Golden Eagle syrup is no longer a grocery store staple, wider online availability has helped it reach pancake syrup enthusiasts across the U.S.:
– Directly through Vermont Country Store – Currently in stock as of November 2023
– On Amazon through Vermont Country Store storefront – Sometimes available
– Specialty online shops like Maine Foodie Tidbits – Limited availability
– eBay – Vintage bottles listed sporadically
Dedicated fans will pay a premium price for the hard-to-find syrup, with Vermont Country Store selling it for $12.50 per 20 oz bottle. Limited edition tin cans with retro designs can sell for $25-30.
Ingredients
The ingredients and recipe for Golden Eagle syrup remain unchanged from the original created by Maltose Falcon in the 1920s.
According to the Vermont Country Store website, the ingredients are:
– Corn syrup
– High fructose corn syrup
– Water
– Salt
– Preservatives (potassium sorbate & sodium benzoate)
– Artificial maple flavor
– Caramel color
– Phosphoric acid
So while Golden Eagle is marketed as a “maple flavored” syrup, it does not actually contain any real maple syrup or sugar. The flavor instead comes from artificial maple flavoring and caramel color to provide a maple taste and amber hue.
This pancake syrup recipe means that Golden Eagle provides the traditional flavor profile its fans love, while remaining affordable compared to 100% pure maple syrup options.
Packaging
Part of the nostalgic appeal of Golden Eagle syrup lies in its memorable retro-style packaging. The vintage design features:
– Primarily white metal tin with golden accent colors
– Prominent golden eagle imagery
– Vintage style lettering spelling out “Golden Eagle”
– Ear of wheat graphics
– Red and blue accents
Vermont Country Store has kept the 20 oz tin’s appearance unchanged, using the same color scheme, logos, and font choices.
The only minor modern update is the addition of nutrition facts and ingredients on the back, as now required by the FDA. But the front graphics remain a vintage time capsule.
Limited edition runs of Golden Eagle syrup are sometimes sold in novelty tin cans, like the 1960s style lunchbox design currently offered.
Taste Review
Golden Eagle syrup offers a taste of sweet maple-flavored nostalgia, with reviewers describing its flavor as:
– Distinctive maple forward taste
– High-quality flavor reminiscent of pure maple, while being more affordable
– Smooth, silky mouthfeel
– Hint of caramel or butterscotch tones
– Not overly rich or sugary sweet
The syrup’s consistency is moderately thick, although not as viscous as pure maple syrup. It pours easily from the vintage style tin and has a satisfying sheen.
When drizzled over a stack of pancakes or waffles, Golden Eagle syrup provides that quintessential maple flavor you expect, with delicate notes of caramel and brown sugar.
Fans who used Golden Eagle syrup growing up say it’s exactly as delicious as they remember from diner breakfasts in decades past. The flavor profile remains spot-on to the traditional recipe.
While it may be hard to find in stores nowadays, Golden Eagle syrup is still being produced for pancake lovers wanting a nostalgic flavor trip. It’s a tasty converted brand surviving the test of time.
Nutrition Facts
Golden Eagle syrup serves up a hefty dose of sugars in each serving. The nutrition facts for a standard 2 tablespoon (30 mL) serving are:
| Calories | 110 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 35 mg |
| Total Carbs | 29 g |
| Sugars | 29 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, a single serving provides 29 grams of sugar, primarily from corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup.
This gives it a very high sugar content, typical for pancake syrup products. While delicious in moderation, nutrition experts recommend limiting added sugar intake for health.
Compared to pure maple syrup, Golden Eagle also lacks beneficial antioxidants and minerals like zinc and manganese.
Still, an occasional drizzle over a short stack is unlikely to do much harm. Just be mindful of portion sizes when using this sugary syrup.
Alternatives
While Golden Eagle syrup offers nostalgia in a bottle, it is still an ultra-processed food with minimal nutritional value.
Here are some alternatives to consider:
Pure Maple Syrup
Opting for 100% pure maple syrup provides a more natural option, with nutritional benefits missing from Golden Eagle. It offers a similar maple taste, while being more expensive.
Fruit Syrups
Syrups made from fruit juice concentrates offer flavors like berry, peach, or cherry. They provide more antioxidants and fiber compared to Golden Eagle.
Honey
Honey has a thicker texture and milder sweetness than Golden Eagle. It contains enzymes and antioxidants absent from corn syrup-based products.
Greek Yogurt
Topping pancakes with a dollop of Greek yogurt adds protein and probiotics. The tangy creaminess pairs nicely with fruit or nuts.
While Golden Eagle syrup is a tasty occasionally treat, adding some nutrition-focused options to your breakfast repertoire can provide long-term health.
Conclusion
Golden Eagle syrup has secured its place in pancake history, ladled generously over piles of fluffy flapjacks across America through the 20th century.
While no longer as ubiquitous as it once was, fans can still find this vintage syrup brand alive and well thanks to its current owners Vermont Country Store. A bottle of Golden Eagle represents a taste of breakfast nostalgia, evoking memories of simpler times and happy weekend morning rituals.
Drizzled over a short stack or waffle, Golden Eagle syrup transports you back decades with its trademark maple sweetness and caramel hints. Seek it out online or specialty shops for a sugary trip down memory lane.
Just be mindful that, like most pancake syrups, Golden Eagle is heavy on added sugars and corn syrup-derived ingredients. Enjoy it moderately as part of a balanced diet, or substitute more natural options at times. But the occasional indulgence in this classic syrup remains a sticky-sweet pleasure.
