How to select the right maple syrup when cooking
Maple syrup is a very versatile ingredient in the kitchen, allowing you to prepare both desserts and main dishes. You can even choose the ideal maple syrup for your recipe, based on its shade and taste: either golden, amber, dark or very dark. This grading system allows you to make the best decision depending on what you’re cooking.
The most common way used to classify maple syrup is to determine its light transmission. A tool analyzes the percentage of light that passes through the syrup, which is then categorized into one of four grades:
Golden maple syrup
Appreciated for its delicate taste, it pairs perfectly with crepes, French toast and even sweet-savoury bites.
Amber maple syrup
With its rich taste, it’s perfect for sweetening muffins, pies, doughnuts and even for softening a salad dressing.
Dark maple syrup
Known for its pronounced flavour, it’s ideal for brushing onto fish, or tofu, or even for using as a glaze for portobello mushroom skewers or chicken wings.
Very dark maple syrup
Its robust taste is perfect for slow-roasted meat, like a rack of pork, or in a marinade. It’s also ideal for desserts that require a strong maple flavour, like maple pudding cake.
Did you know?
As the season progresses, the syrup gets darker and its flavour grows in intensity. Several factors influence its colour, particularly the maple sap’s harvest time and its evaporation time.
That said, maple syrup can be used however you prefer, regardless of its grade, based on your own taste and preference.