Last week I wanted to buy some maple syrup so I can make some pancakes. Well I went to the local Krogers, went to the isle that had pancake mix and syrup. I picked up a bottle of the house brand. I got home and looked at the back of the bottle and guess what I found out? It was corn syrup!!! High fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, flavor, and color. THATS IT! So today I went back to the store to try to find some real syrup. Maple syrup. I looked at every bottle they had and every one except for one brand was corn syrup! The only one that was real maple syrup came in two sizes. Small and I guess regular. Guess what the ingredients were on the back label. 100% maple syrup. Thats it. Nothing else listed. No sugar added, no color, no flavoring, no corn syrup for filling. Just 100% maple syrup. Has anyone else noticed that 99% of the syrup for pancakes is just corn syrup? </EndRant>
It is tough, yes... We buy our maple syrup in bulk at our food co-op... that way, we know it isn't masquerading as syrup. In the US, it is actually legal for "honey" to be flavored sugar syrup, as well. *sigh*
I just drive down the road to one of the several sugar houses. But it is expensive (my 1/2 gallon from this spring was $33). Perhaps people in your area won't pay for the quality. Try a specialty food store, perhaps.
I live in New England. I can find real maple syrup quite easily (I would rather have pancakes plane rather than insult them with that corn syrup crap). If anybody wants some, shoot me a PM and we'll talk (warning: even here it is very pricey. But worth it). Insider's tip: The best stuff? Grade B. Has much more flavor (ironically, the more maple syrup is diluted, the more it costs).
Real Maple syrup can sometimes be found at Farmer's Markets. Or speciality stores. Your regular grocery stores, such as Kroger or walmart could have it. But sometimes checking at an organic store, or other unique stores are sometimes a good way to go.
If you have a Costco or Price Club around you, they carry a very nice 100% Real Maple Syrup. It's $10 a 2 Qt Jug... Hot Cornbread, Bacon, a couple eggs over easy, and Real Maple Syrup, Y'uuuummmmmmmm "Hey Mom, How about a couple of Hot Buttered Groat Cakes, and heavy on the 30 Weight!!!"
At pretty much every supermarket I have shopped at, there is real maple syrup. You just have to search for it among the large display of artificially-flavored corn syrup.
the smart answer is I find real maple syrup at our food coop. The real answer for you would be any store that carries organic food should have real syrup. Whole Foods, Stealer Joe...
I rechecked, its only 1 qt. , but it's still 100% Real Maple Syrup, from Vermont! Still still worth every penny!!!
It's 100%, but it's made from Chinese maple tress. Chinese maple trees have no limbs or bark, and are used to hold up power and telephone lines. Tom
As a creative cook, I've found maple syrup tastes good on many things. Like fruit salad, and as a marinade for chicken. I haven't tried it in coffee, but only because I'm not keen on the flavoured stuff. It might even be good in rum. Hmm...nah, it's too early.
