Quick Answers
Yes, there are many brands of maple syrup that are considered vegan. Maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees, which does not contain any animal products. Traditionally made maple syrup only contains maple sap and sometimes vegetable-based additives, making it inherently vegan. Major maple syrup brands like Maple Grove Farms, Coombs Family Farms, and Shady Maple Farms all make vegan maple syrups.
What Makes Maple Syrup Vegan?
Maple syrup is derived from the sap of maple trees. To make maple syrup, holes are drilled into maple trees which allows the sap to run out freely. The sap is then collected and boiled to evaporate most of the water content, turning the sap into a viscous, sugary syrup.
This process does not intrinsically involve any animal products. Since maple syrup is simply the boiled down sap from maple trees, there are no animal ingredients contained in pure maple syrup. Any brand of maple syrup that does not contain additional animal-based ingredients can be considered vegan.
Maple syrup consists primarily of sucrose, water, and small amounts of amino acids and minerals like calcium, potassium, and manganese. There are no ingredients that would be unacceptable for a vegan diet.
Common Additives in Maple Syrup
While pure maple syrup does not contain animal products, sometimes additional ingredients are added that may affect the vegan status. Here are some common additives found in maple syrup:
– **Vegetable-based additives** – Many maple syrups contain vegetable-derived ingredients like invert syrup, caramel color, or natural flavors. These are vegan.
– **Butter/cream** – Some maple syrups are flavored with butter or cream. These would not be vegan.
– **Honey** – Some syrups mix in honey. Since honey is an animal product, these would not be vegan.
– **Milk ingredients** – Some maple syrups may list milk, milk proteins, or other dairy ingredients. These would not be vegan.
When purchasing maple syrup, it is important to check the ingredients label to watch out for any potential animal-based additives. Pure maple syrup with no additives will always be vegan.
Major Vegan Maple Syrup Brands
Many leading maple syrup brands make types of syrup that are free of animal products and dairy, making them friendly for a vegan diet. Here are some major brands producing vegan maple syrup:
– **Maple Grove Farms** – Their pure maple syrup contains no additives, just pure maple sap. They also make organic, grade A dark amber, and grade A amber maple syrups that are vegan.
– **Coombs Family Farms** – Their pure maple syrup and other grades of syrup contain no animal ingredients. They are certified vegan.
– **Shady Maple Farms** – Their traditional maple syrup and organic maple syrup contain only pure maple sap with no additives.
– **Crown Maple** – They make pure, organic maple syrup from maple sap that is vegan.
– **Aunt Jemima** – Their original syrup is vegan, made from corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, water, cellulose gum, caramel color, salt, natural and artificial flavor, sodium benzoate, etc. The lite syrup is also vegan.
– **Log Cabin** – Their original syrup is vegan, containing corn syrup and natural flavors. The lite syrup is also vegan.
Advantages of Maple Syrup for Vegans
Maple syrup offers some advantages that make it a useful alternative sweetener for those following a vegan diet:
– **Natural source** – Since it comes straight from maple trees, it offers a natural, plant-based sweetener without artificial additives.
– **Nutrients** – Maple syrup contains some beneficial nutrients and antioxidants like zinc, manganese, calcium and riboflavin.
– **Sugar substitute** – The rich maple taste makes it a tasty sugar substitute for baking, oatmeal, waffles, etc.
– **No bone char** – Some cane sugar is filtered using bone char from cattle bones, but maple syrup avoids this concern.
– **Lower glycemic index** – Maple syrup has a lower GI than many sweeteners, meaning it may not spike blood sugar as quickly.
Nutrition Profile of Maple Syrup
Here is the nutrition profile of maple syrup per 1 tablespoon (21g) serving:
| Calories | 52 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 2mg |
| Potassium | 35mg |
| Carbs | 13g |
| Sugar | 12g |
| Calcium | 26mg |
| Iron | 0.4mg |
Maple syrup is primarily composed of carbohydrates and sugar in the form of sucrose. It has trace amounts of some minerals like calcium, potassium, and iron. Maple syrup contains no significant fat, protein or fiber. The glycemic index of maple syrup is around 54, which is lower than white sugar.
How Maple Syrup is Made
Maple syrup is made by collecting and evaporating the sap from maple trees. Here is the basic process:
– Maple trees are tapped by drilling holes into the trunks in early spring when sap flow is high.
– Spouts or tubing are inserted into the holes to collect the dripping sap into buckets.
– The sap consists of about 2% sugar and 98% water.
– The sap is boiled in an evaporator to remove much of the water, concentrating the sugar content.
– It takes approximately 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.
– As water evaporates, the sap thickens into syrup, which is filtered and bottled.
– The syrup is graded based on color and flavor. Lighter syrup has a more delicate flavor.
– Unopened maple syrup can be stored for 1 year at room temperature or indefinitely refrigerated.
History of Maple Syrup
Here is some background on the history of maple syrup:
– Maple syrup production began with Indigenous peoples in North America hundreds of years ago.
– Native Americans would make v-shaped cuts into maple trees to collect dripping sap.
– The sap was concentrated by heating it with hot rocks.
– Early European settlers learned the sap harvesting process from Native Americans.
– Settlers started using metal buckets and evaporator pots to produce maple syrup.
– Around the 1900s, producers started using plastic tubing, spouts and large evaporators.
– Modern production uses vacuum systems and reverse osmosis to concentrate sap.
– Canada produces more than 70% of the world’s maple syrup today, followed by the United States.
– Maple syrup is now a multi-million dollar commercial industry around the world.
Grades of Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is graded by the United States Department of Agriculture into various color and flavor classes:
– **Grade A Light Amber** – Delicate flavor. Syrup has a light golden color.
– **Grade A Medium Amber** – Richer maple flavor. Amber color.
– **Grade A Dark Amber** – Robust maple taste. Darker color.
– **Grade A Very Dark Amber** – Strongest maple flavor. Very dark color.
– **Processing Grade** – Used for baking and candy making. May have stronger flavors.
– **Substandard** – May be off-flavored or have coloring defects.
Lighter syrups are produced earlier in the season. The grade corresponds to color and flavor, not quality. Processing grades may be mixed with other grades to produce retail maple syrup.
Maple Syrup Production by State
The top maple syrup producing states in the United States are:
| State | Gallons of Maple Syrup Produced (2021) |
|---|---|
| Vermont | 2,200,000 |
| New York | 800,000 |
| Maine | 675,000 |
| New Hampshire | 170,000 |
| Wisconsin | 145,000 |
| Michigan | 135,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 130,000 |
| Massachusetts | 120,000 |
| Connecticut | 113,000 |
| Ohio | 100,000 |
The northeastern states of Vermont, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts are the top maple syrup producing regions in the country.
Fake and Flavored Maple Syrups
Some products labeled as maple syrup are not actually pure maple syrup:
– **Maple-flavored syrup** – Made with corn syrup and maple flavoring, not real maple sap.
– **Maple-infused syrup** – A small amount of maple syrup added to flavor other sweeteners.
– **Pancake syrup** – Syrup made from corn syrup with maple flavor added.
– **Breakfast syrup** – Sweetened syrup without natural maple flavors. May contain HFCS.
– **Inverted sugar syrup** – Corn syrup processed with acids or enzymes to simulate maple.
When scanning ingredients, real maple syrup will have maple syrup as the only ingredient. Other additives usually indicate a maple-flavored syrup that does not contain much real maple.
Health Concerns with Maple Syrup
Although maple syrup offers some trace nutrients, there are some health downsides:
– High in sugar – Maple syrup is around 60% sucrose. This can contribute to excess sugar intake.
– High in calories – Maple syrup packs about 200 calories per 1⁄4 cup serving.
– May affect blood sugar – The high sugar content creates a relatively high glycemic index, which can spike blood glucose.
– Toxic salts concern – Some products use formaldehyde as a preservative, which creates formic acid that is considered toxic.
– Sap contamination – Any contaminants in maple tree sap could enter finished maple syrup. Pollution, pesticides, cleaning agents, etc could introduce toxins.
– Boiling process – Potential heavy metal residues may concentrate in syrup from repeated boilings during processing.
In moderation, pure maple syrup can be an acceptable sweetener for vegans. But it should be used sparingly due to the high sugar and calorie content. Those with diabetes or weight concerns should be especially cautious.
How to Identify Pure Maple Syrup
Here are some tips for identifying real, 100% pure maple syrup:
– **Ingredients** – Maple syrup should have a single ingredient: maple syrup or maple sap. No additives.
– **Grade** – It should have a grade A or processing grade on the label. This grading system is mandatory for real maple syrups.
– **Source details** – The label should mention details like the forest/region the syrup came from.
– **Production/bottling details** – Genuine maple syrup is made and bottled directly at the sugar bush. Labels will state this.
– **Certifications** – It may have a maple leaf certification seal or be certified organic.
– **Price** – True maple syrup has a higher price than artificial syrups, given the intensive production process.
– **Taste** – Maple syrup has a distinctive flavor that imitation syrups usually lack.
How Maple Syrup Differs from Agave Nectar
Like maple syrup, agave nectar is sometimes used as a vegan sweetener. Here are the main differences:
– **Source** – Maple syrup comes from maple tree sap. Agave nectar comes from the agave plant.
– **Taste** – Maple syrup has a rich, distinctive taste. Agave nectar is more neutral tasting.
– **Production** – Maple syrup is simply boiled down. Agave nectar involves processing the agave juice with enzymes.
– **Texture** – Maple syrup is smooth and viscous. Agave nectar is thinner.
– **Calories** – Agave nectar has slightly fewer calories by volume than maple syrup.
– **Sugar content** – Maple syrup is mostly sucrose. Agave nectar is high in fructose.
– **Glycemic index** – Agave nectar has a lower GI than maple syrup.
– **Price** – Maple syrup is generally more expensive than agave nectar.
Both can work as vegan sweeteners, but agave nectar may work better for those watching their blood sugar levels.
Maple Syrup Storage and Shelf Life
Unopened maple syrup can be stored at room temperature for 12-24 months. For long term storage, keep maple syrup refrigerated after opening. It can generally last 1-3 years in the refrigerator after opening.
Proper storage helps prevent mold growth and preserve the flavor. Store maple syrup in a tightly sealed container like a Mason jar. Keep the syrup away from direct light in a cool, dark space. Refrigeration is the best way to maintain quality after opening.
Look for any mold, crystallization, darkening, or change in texture before consuming previously opened maple syrup. Pure maple syrup can remain safe and edible for years with proper refrigerated storage.
Conclusion
Maple syrup makes for a useful vegan alternative sweetener, as it comes directly from maple trees without any animal ingredients involved in pure forms. Leading maple syrup brands like Maple Grove Farms, Crown Maple, Coombs Family Farms and others make types of 100% maple syrup that are free of animal products and byproducts, allowing them to be labeled vegan.
When shopping for maple syrup, check that the ingredients contain only pure maple syrup without any additives like butter, cream, or honey that would make it non-vegan. Pure maple syrup offers a natural sweetness, unique maple taste, and some trace nutrients, though it is still high in sugar and calories. Overall, pure maple syrup can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced vegan diet.
