Vermont Maple Syrup: Versatile and Healthy, Too!
Here in Vermont, we're proud of our maple syrup. Full of subtle complexities you won't find in even the best store varieties, we know once you try Pure Vermont Maple Syrup, there will be no going back. Maple syrup from Vermont is a true delicacy and can be used in a variety of recipes. We carry a wide variety of syrup at The Vermont Country Store, as well as many pure Vermont maple products to tempt your taste buds. From hard maple candies to granulated maple sugar, and smooth maple creams, The Vermont Country Store is the place to get your maple fix.
Did you know it takes 40 years for a maple tree to mature enough to produce sap? Once mature, a healthy tree can produce sap for over 100 years, and every year a single tree produces 5-10 gallons. From there, it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup. Freshly tapped sap is crystal clear with a sugar content of 1.5% to 3%. It then goes through a boiling process which concentrates the sugars, resulting in amber-colored syrup with at least a 66.9% sugar content.
Exacting Standards
At The Vermont Country Store, we abide by the strict State of Vermont standards for maple syrup. These are some of the highest standards in the world! All Vermont maple syrup is of the finest quality, labeled Grade A, and differentiated by taste and color. Our varieties range from a light golden color to deep amber.
Our Grade A Maple Syrup commonly comes in three different varieties, which vary in flavor but never in quality. Whether you prefer the classic maple flavor of amber, the robust richness of a darker syrup, or the delicate sweetness of light, golden maple syrup, ours is certified as the best Vermont has to offer. Pour it on!
An Antioxidant-Rich Treat
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island have found more than 20 compounds in pure maple syrup that contribute to better health, including beneficial antioxidants. Additionally, maple syrup boasts many healthy minerals–it's an excellent source of manganese and a good source of zinc. Just two teaspoons contain 22% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of manganese. A 1/4-cup serving of maple syrup contains more calcium than an equal amount of milk and more potassium than a small banana. Maple syrup is an easily digestible sugar when compared to high-fructose corn syrup. Additionally, it is free of preservatives, artificial additives, and GMOs. It makes a great alternative sweetener for plenty of recipes where you may be instinctively reaching for sugar.
Try Maple Syrup on That!
Next time, give maple syrup a try and see what you think! Here are a few delicious ways you can use pure Vermont maple syrup:
- Top a sweet potato (add a pat of butter and crushed walnuts, too).
- Drizzle over a steaming bowl of steel-cut oats, quinoa, or muesli.
- Mix with softened butter and spread on biscuits, scones, or muffins.
- Whisk together with balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper for a tangy-sweet dressing.
- Add to steamed milk for a cozy Vermont maple steamer.
- Replace sugar with maple syrup in your favorite recipes. For every cup of sugar, reduce the amount of maple syrup by three to four tablespoons, due to its viscosity. Or, treat yourself to our granulated Vermont maple sugar!
