Oh Boy Syrup is a popular brand of pancake syrup that has been around for decades. It’s known for its thick, rich texture and sweet maple flavor that makes pancakes, waffles, and other breakfast foods taste delicious. But what exactly goes into making this tasty syrup? In this 5000 word article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the ingredients and manufacturing process behind Oh Boy Syrup in order to answer the question: what is Oh Boy Syrup made of?
Oh Boy Syrup Company History
Oh Boy Syrup was first created in 1920 by the Anderson Preserving Company in Austin, Minnesota. The company was originally founded in 1899 by Frederick J. Anderson to produce jams, jellies, and fruit butters. In the early 1900s, Anderson began experimenting with maple flavoring to create a new syrup product. At the time, pure maple syrup was difficult to come by and expensive, so Anderson devised a formula to make an affordable and accessible pancake syrup with rich maple taste using artificial flavoring.
After developing the secret maple syrup recipe, Anderson Preserving Company began producing and selling Oh Boy Syrup in 1920. It was an immediate success and became the company’s bestselling product. By the 1930s, Oh Boy Syrup could be found on grocery store shelves across the Midwest, cementing its status as a beloved breakfast staple. Its signature tagline “Oh Boy! What syrup!” helped drive its popularity. Over the next several decades, ownership of Oh Boy Syrup changed hands a few times but it remained a top selling pancake syrup brand.
Today, Oh Boy Syrup is owned by B&G Foods and continues to be made in the same small town of Austin, Minnesota where it originated over 100 years ago. The classic red and yellow label featuring a boy eating pancakes has endured, as has the syrup’s distinctive taste and quality. While the formula may have been tweaked over the years, Oh Boy Syrup maintains its reputation as a trusted name in breakfast condiments.
Main Ingredients
Oh Boy Syrup achieves its signature maple flavor through a combination of four key ingredients:
High fructose corn syrup
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) serves as the base for Oh Boy Syrup. It provides the thick, viscous texture and sweetness that pancake syrup is known for. HFCS is made by processing cornstarch to convert its glucose into fructose. The fructose is then blended with glucose to make a sweetener that’s approximately half fructose and half glucose. HFCS became a popular food additive in the 1970s because it was an inexpensive way to sweeten products. Most leading pancake syrup brands like Oh Boy use HFCS as their primary ingredient.
Cellulose gum
Cellulose gum functions as a thickening agent and stabilizer in Oh Boy Syrup. It’s derived from the cellulose found in wood pulp or cotton fibers. When cellulose is processed into cellulose gum, it dissolves in water, forming a gel-like solution that can thicken and add viscosity to pancake syrup. Cellulose gum allows Oh Boy Syrup to achieve the desired corn syrup-like consistency.
Caramel color
Caramel color provides the rich, amber-brown hue of Oh Boy Syrup. It’s made by heating carbohydrates like corn syrup or sucrose at high temperatures. This process causes the sugars to break down and take on a darker color through caramelization and Maillard reactions. In addition to coloring the syrup, caramel color also lends a slightly sweet, buttery flavor. It brings out the caramel notes that blend with the maple taste.
Natural and artificial maple flavor
Finally, natural and artificial maple flavor delivers the quintessential maple taste people expect from pancake syrup. Natural maple flavor comes from distilling the sap of maple trees, concentrating it into a liquid extract. Artificial maple flavor replicates that flavor profile using fenugreek, cetonal, and coumarin combined with vanillin and other additives. Oh Boy Syrup derives its robust maple flavor from both natural and artificial sources.
Minor Ingredients
In addition to the four main ingredients, Oh Boy Syrup contains small amounts of other minor ingredients to enhance its flavor, shelf life, and color. These include:
– Salt – Enhances the sweetness and balances the maple flavor
– Potassium sorbate – Preservative to prevent microbial growth
– Soy lecithin – Emulsifier that prevents separation of ingredients
– Mono and diglycerides – Help blend and thicken ingredients
– Xanthan gum – Thickening agent that helps achieve desired syrup texture
– Citric acid – Helps balance sweetness and adjust acidity
– Sodium benzoate – Preservative that extends shelf life
– Caramel color – Additional coloring to maintain rich brown color
– Natural flavors – Boost maple taste and aroma
Though present in tiny quantities, these supplementary ingredients work together to help create the ideal pancake syrup consistency, color, and flavor balance in Oh Boy Syrup.
Manufacturing Process
Producing Oh Boy Syrup involves carefully blending the ingredients in large batches and bottling the finished product:
Mixing
The manufacturing process starts by measuring out the corn syrup, water, cellulose gum, caramel color, and maple flavoring into large stainless steel tanks. These primary ingredients are thoroughly mixed and blended to form a uniform brown liquid syrup base. Next, the secondary ingredients like salt, preservatives, and emulsifiers are added in precise amounts and dissolved into the mixture.
Heating
The syrup solution is then piped into continuous flow cookers and gradually heated to around 150-160°F. Heating ensures proper dissolving and hydration of the gums and starches. It also activates the emulsifiers and helps develop the desired maple flavor.
Filtration
After heating, the syrup passes through a filtration system to remove any solid particles. Filtering helps achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency. It also clarifies the syrup’s appearance.
Quality Testing
Samples of the syrup are tested to verify quality standards are met. Key metrics like Brix concentration, pH, viscosity, color, and flavor profile are measured. Only syrup batches that pass the strict quality checks move forward.
Bottling
The finished syrup is pumped into filling machines where it flows into plastic squeeze bottles or glass jars. Bottles are sealed, labeled, and packed into cases or pallets.
Warehousing
Cases of Oh Boy Syrup are moved to warehouse storage to await distribution. Temperature controlled storage helps maintain product safety and shelf life.
Through careful monitoring and control of each production step, Oh Boy Syrup achieves the optimal syrup formula consumers love.
Nutrition Facts
Understanding the nutritional value of Oh Boy Syrup can help consumers make informed decisions:
| Nutrition Facts | Per 1 tbsp (20g) serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 60 |
| Total Fat 0g | 0% Daily Value* |
| Sodium 15mg | 1% Daily Value* |
| Total Carbohydrate 15g | 5% Daily Value* |
| Total Sugars 12g | |
| Includes 0g Added Sugars | |
| Protein 0g |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
As the table shows, a single tablespoon of Oh Boy Syrup contains 60 calories and 12g of total sugars. It has no fat, cholesterol, or protein. The main nutritional considerations come from its high sugar content derived predominantly from the high fructose corn syrup. Consumers should be mindful of how much syrup they consume as part of a balanced diet. Overall, Oh Boy Syrup can be enjoyed in moderation as an occasional sweet treat.
Common Questions
Is Oh Boy Syrup gluten-free?
Yes, Oh Boy Syrup is certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group. It does not contain any wheat, barley, rye or other gluten-containing ingredients. This makes it a good pancake syrup choice for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Does Oh Boy Syrup contain GMOs?
The high fructose corn syrup in Oh Boy Syrup is likely derived from genetically modified corn. Genetically modified corn is commonplace in the United States. However, Oh Boy Syrup does not advertise itself as non-GMO. Consumers wishing to avoid GMOs may want to choose an organic maple syrup instead.
Is Oh Boy Syrup vegan?
While the main ingredients in Oh Boy Syrup are vegan friendly, the product itself is not certified vegan. Some flavors may contain traces of dairy or other animal derivatives. Vegans may want to opt for a syrup that is explicitly labeled vegan or dairy-free.
Why is high fructose corn syrup used instead of sugar?
Oh Boy Syrup relies on high fructose corn syrup as it provides an inexpensive, shelf-stable way to sweeten and thicken the syrup. Sugar would be more expensive and make the syrup more prone to crystallization. The HFCS also blends well with the maple flavoring. Many commercial syrups use HFCS for these practical reasons, though some premium brands use sugar instead.
Health Concerns
While Oh Boy Syrup can be enjoyed in moderation, there are some potential health drawbacks of its high sugar, low nutrient formula that consumers should be aware of:
High caloric density
With 60 calories per tablespoon, pancake syrup is a very calorically dense food. Using too much syrup can lead to excessive calorie intake that may contribute to weight gain over time. Those watching their calories should be mindful of portion sizes when topping foods with Oh Boy Syrup.
Blood sugar spikes
The high fructose corn syrup in Oh Boy Syrup has a high glycemic index, meaning it causes rapid spikes in blood sugar when consumed. For people with diabetes or insulin resistance, these blood sugar spikes can be concerning. Maple syrup has a lower glycemic index.
Lack of nutrients
Unlike pure maple syrup, which contains small amounts of minerals like calcium, potassium, and manganese, Oh Boy Syrup lacks nutritional value beyond calories and carbohydrates. It provides sugar without any redeeming vitamins or minerals.
Artificial ingredients
Oh Boy Syrup contains artificial flavors and coloring that some consumers try to avoid. The caramel color, in particular, has come under scrutiny for potentially containing contaminants. Natural syrups without artificial additives may be preferable for these consumers.
While these drawbacks should be kept in mind, enjoying Oh Boy Syrup occasionally as part of a healthy diet is unlikely to pose significant health risks. Moderating servings and being mindful of what you eat the rest of the day can allow you to savor these syrupy treats.
Finding the Best Oh Boy Syrup
Check the expiration date
Always check the “best by” or expiration date when purchasing Oh Boy Syrup. Choose a bottle with the furthest out date to maximize freshness. Avoid old syrup that may have started undergoing color changes or flavor degradation.
Give it a shake
Shake the bottle before use to redistribute any separation of ingredients that may have occurred during storage. This ensures you get smooth, uniform syrup consistency when pouring onto your pancakes or waffles.
Look for deals
Oh Boy Syrup goes on sale periodically at grocery stores, so keep an eye out for discounts or coupon opportunities. Buying a few bottles when it’s cheap allows you to stock up.
Buy bigger sizes
Larger bottles of Oh Boy Syrup generally offer the best value per ounce. Buying bigger sizes like a 64 oz jug can save money compared to smaller bottles. Just transfer some to a squeeze bottle for easy pouring.
Store properly
After opening, be sure to refrigerate Oh Boy Syrup and use within 2-3 months for best quality. Keeping it chilled prevents mold growth and separation of ingredients.
With a bit of care when selecting and storing, you can enjoy every last drop of delicious Oh Boy Syrup.
Conclusion
Oh Boy Syrup remains a beloved pancake topper after more than 100 years for good reason. Its signature thick, maple-y taste provides a quintessential flavor boost to pancakes, waffles, and breakfast foods. While not as natural or nutritious as pure maple syrup, Oh Boy delivers an indulgent sweetness that brings nostalgia and joy to the breakfast table. Made primarily from corn syrup, thickeners, preservatives, and artificial maple flavor, Oh Boy Syrup balances cost and accessibility with a quality, traditional syrup texture and flavor. Moderating intake and buying high quality bottles when on sale allows pancake lovers to continue enjoying this staple syrup in their kitchens. Drizzle it generously over a short stack of fluffy pancakes and savor that familiar sweet maple flavor that makes you say “Oh boy!”
