Yes, Hungry Jack syrup is still being made and sold today. Hungry Jack is a brand of pancake syrup and other breakfast foods that is owned by The J.M. Smucker Company. The Hungry Jack brand has been around since the 1970s and continues to produce popular syrup flavors like original, lite, and sugar free. Their syrups can be found in major grocery stores across the United States and Canada. Below we’ll take a deeper look at the history of Hungry Jack syrup, review their current syrup offerings, and examine the reasons why this brand has remained a breakfast staple after all these years.
Brief History of Hungry Jack Syrup
The Hungry Jack brand traces its origins back to the 1970s in the U.S. At the time, the market-leading Aunt Jemima brand of pancake mixes and syrups was owned by The Quaker Oats Company. Wanting to compete in this lucrative market but unable to use the Aunt Jemima name, The Pillsbury Company created their own brand of pancake mix and syrup called Hungry Jack.
The name Hungry Jack came from Hungry Jack Lake in northern Minnesota, but it also connoted the idea of hearty, lumberjack-size appetites. Pillsbury was able to successfully establish Hungry Jack in the powdered pancake mix and syrup market throughout the 1970s and 80s. The brand has since changed hands a couple of times, first being sold to International Multifoods in 1996 and then to The J. M. Smucker Company in 2008.
Current Hungry Jack Syrup Offerings
Today, Hungry Jack syrup comes in a variety of styles:
- Original – Their classic syrup recipe since the beginning. Has a sweet, maple flavor.
- Lite – A lower calorie syrup option with 1/3 fewer calories per serving.
- No Sugar Added – A sugar free syrup sweetened using sucralose.
- Butter – Syrup with a rich, buttery taste.
- Berry – Features a blend of strawberry and blueberry flavors.
The syrups come in 24 oz squeeze bottles for convenient use. Hungry Jack syrup flavors are made without high fructose corn syrup.
Reasons for Hungry Jack’s Continued Popularity
There are several key factors that explain why Hungry Jack syrup remains popular after over 40 years on the market:
- Strong brand recognition – Hungry Jack is a well-known brand name that consumers trust when it comes to breakfast foods.
- Nostalgia – Those who grew up eating Hungry Jack syrup continue to purchase it out of nostalgia and brand loyalty.
- Variety of flavors – Hungry Jack offers a range of syrup options, from original to lite to sugar free, appealing to diverse tastes.
- Availability – Hungry Jack syrup is widely distributed and easy to find in major grocery stores across North America.
- Affordable price – It’s reasonably priced, making it accessible to shoppers looking for value.
- Taste – While subjective, many pancake lovers claim Hungry Jack simply tastes better than cheaper store brands.
The trust in the Hungry Jack name and the familiarity of its logo featuring a bearded lumberjack have allowed it to remain a leading syrup brand with a devoted customer base for decades. The company has also innovated just enough with new flavors and reduced sugar options to keep up with shifting consumer preferences. But at its core, people continue to choose Hungry Jack because it provides a delicious, affordable syrup for making fluffy pancakes and waffles at home.
Nutrition Facts of Hungry Jack Syrup
Hungry Jack syrup, like most pancake syrups, is high in sugar and carbohydrates. However, the exact nutrition facts can vary by flavor:
Original Hungry Jack Syrup
| Serving Size | 2 tbsp (36g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 25mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29g |
| Sugars | 27g |
| Protein | 0g |
Hungry Jack Lite Syrup
| Serving Size | 2 tbsp (36g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 70 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 40mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18g |
| Sugars | 16g |
| Protein | 0g |
Key Differences
As shown, the lite syrup has approximately 1/3 fewer calories and carbohydrates compared to the original. The lite syrup does contain more sodium, however. Both have 0g of protein. When comparing labels, theOriginal Hungry Jack has over 50% more sugar per serving than the lite version.
Ingredients in Hungry Jack Syrup
Hungry Jack syrup contains very few ingredients. The main ingredients are:
- Corn syrup – Thick sweetener made from corn starch. Provides texture and flavor.
- High fructose corn syrup – Sweeter type of corn syrup giving more sweetness.
- Water – Adds fluidity and volume.
- Cellulose gum – Thickener to provide right consistency.
- Salt – For flavor enhancement.
- Potassium sorbate – Preservative to extend shelf life.
- Sucralose – Artificial sweetener used in reduced sugar varieties.
- Natural and artificial flavors – To replicate maple syrup taste.
As you can see, the main ingredients are corn-based sweeteners along with some thickeners and preservatives. There is no actual maple syrup in Hungry Jack. Instead, the flavors are either artificial or “natural” flavorings designed to imitate maple.
Why High Fructose Corn Syrup is Used
Many consumers have concerns about high fructose corn syrup in foods and seek to avoid it. However, there are some reasons why it is used as the primary sweetener in Hungry Jack syrup:
- It is much cheaper to produce than real maple syrup, allowing Hungry Jack to be affordably priced.
- It provides an evenly consistent sweetness and smooth texture.
- It has a long shelf life and remains stable throughout shipping and storage.
- It blends well with other flavorings to create the maple taste consumers expect.
High fructose corn syrup allows Hungry Jack to offer the familiar sweet maple flavor consumers love at a fraction of the cost of real maple syrup. This keeps their products economical for shoppers while still delivering the syrup experience they expect.
Comparing Hungry Jack to Pure Maple Syrup
There are some notable differences between Hungry Jack pancake syrup and 100% pure maple syrup:
| Hungry Jack Syrup | Pure Maple Syrup | |
|---|---|---|
| Main Ingredients | Corn syrups | Maple sap |
| Flavor | Maple imitation flavoring | Natural maple flavor |
| Texture | Smooth, uniform | Variable, natural |
| Color | Golden brown | Ranges from dark to light amber |
| Calories/serving | 110 calories | 52 calories |
| Cost | Cheap ($2-$3 per 24oz.) | Expensive ($15-$20 per 8oz.) |
As shown, the main differences are that Hungry Jack is made from corn syrup while real maple syrup comes straight from maple sap. Maple syrup has a more complex, nuanced flavor compared to the imitation maple taste of Hungry Jack. But Hungry Jack wins on affordability and uniformity. So while they are different products, each has its own advantages that appeal to consumers.
Where to Buy Hungry Jack Syrup
Hungry Jack syrup is widely available at most major grocery stores in the United States and Canada. Here are some of the leading retailers that carry Hungry Jack syrup products:
- Walmart
- Kroger
- Publix
- Safeway
- Meijer
- HEB
- Target
- Loblaws
- ShopRite
- Albertsons
- Costco
- Amazon.com
The best place to find it is in the pancake/syrup aisle alongside other brands like Aunt Jemima, Mrs. Butterworth’s, and Log Cabin. Many stores carry multiple flavors of Hungry Jack. If you have trouble locating it in stores near you, it can also be purchased online through Amazon and grocery delivery services.
When checking for Hungry Jack syrup, be on the lookout for their recognizable red and yellow label featuring the bearded lumberjack character. This nostalgic packaging has remained largely unchanged over the decades and makes the brand easily identifiable.
Price Comparison of Hungry Jack Syrup
Hungry Jack syrup offers a cost advantage over pure maple syrup. Here is a price comparison of their 24oz squeezable bottle to pure maple syrup:
| Store | Hungry Jack 24oz | Pure Maple Syrup 8oz |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | $2.48 | $12.94 |
| Target | $2.69 | $14.39 |
| Amazon | $13.94 (pack of 6) | $14.99 |
| Costco | $9.39 (2 pack) | $18.99 |
On a per ounce basis, Hungry Jack syrup is typically 6 to 8 times cheaper than pure maple syrup. The purity and quality comes at a steep premium. So while real maple syrup offers an elevated flavor experience, the economical price of Hungry Jack syrup continues to give it mass market appeal.
How to Use Hungry Jack Syrup
Hungry Jack syrup is very easy to use on all your favorite breakfast foods and recipes:
- Pancakes and waffles – The most popular use is drizzling or pouring syrup over cooked pancakes and waffles.
- French toast – Dip bread in egg mixture, fry until browned, and serve with syrup on top.
- Oatmeal – For added sweetness, stir syrup into oatmeal while cooking or after.
- Yogurt parfaits – Layer yogurt with fruit and nuts, and drizzle syrup on top.
- Milkshakes – For flavor, add 1-2 tablespoons of syrup when blending ice cream milkshakes.
- Smoothies – Mix in 1-2 tablespoons of syrup to sweeten up fruit smoothies.
- Fresh fruit – Drizzle over bananas, berries, mangos, pineapples, etc.
The flavored syrups like berry and butter also work great on tops of ice cream sundaes, sweet crepes, and dessert waffles.
When using Hungry Jack syrup, start with a small amount, taste, and add more as desired to reach your preferred sweetness level. Let your cravings and imagination guide you – Hungry Jack syrup makes for a simple way to add sweet maple flavor to almost anything!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hungry Jack syrup has remained a top selling pancake syrup brand for over 40 years and counting. Thanks to its affordability, availability, variety, nostalgia appeal, and tasty flavors, Hungry Jack continues to satisfy families and pancake lovers today. While it may not offer the premium quality of real maple syrup, it delivers consistent, inexpensive maple-flavored goodness. Drizzle it over pancakes or get creative and add it into smoothies, oatmeal, fresh fruit, ice cream sundaes, and other treats. So if you are still hungry for that familiar maple-y Jack, rest assured his syrup is alive and pouring at a store near you.
