How to tell the difference between real maple syrup vs fake

It’s a common consumer conundrum; what may look at first glance to be maple syrup on the shelf might be something else entirely.

We might say that marketing is to blame. The wordsmiths and designers employed by today’s big brands know how to make a product look like something it’s not. But it’s not all in the labelling and packaging…

In this article, we look at the various ways in which you can tell 100% organic maple syrup apart from the real thing.

The big giveaway – check the label

To tell real maple syrup from fake, the quickest method is to check the ingredients label. Fake maple syrup is often labeled as ‘pancake’ or ‘table’ syrup. The real thing – 100% organic maple syrup – has only one ingredient; and that’s the pure maple syrup itself, produced from maple sap. Fake syrups rely on a base of corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, water, artificial caramel colour, and chemical flavourings.

Beyond the label, you can spot the difference by looking at the physical characteristics and taste:

Consistency

Real maple syrup is thin and flows smoothly like water, soaking quickly into pancakes. Fake syrup is thick, viscous, and tends to sit on top of food due to added thickeners.

Colour

Pure maple syrup ranges naturally in colour from light golden to dark amber, and will always be labeled with a specific grade (like Grade A). Fake syrups feature a uniform, unnatural, deep brown colour.

Taste

Real maple syrup offers a complex, natural sweetness with hints of vanilla, caramel, or toffee. Fake syrup has a flat, one-dimensional sugary taste and often leaves an artificial, chemical aftertaste.

Knowing what’s in your basket

Artificial syrups may be more affordable in some cases, but they are also usually without several of the nutritional benefits that 100% maple syrup contains, not to mention the distinctive taste. So, next time you are in the supermarket, use the pointers in this article to ensure that you are getting exactly what you expect.