What is the difference between maple syrup and maple flavoured syrup?

Will you buy maple syrup or ‘maple-flavoured’ syrup? The difference is so subtle that when you are in the supermarket aisle, you might not even notice.

It’s worth digging a little deeper into what is pure or organic maple syrup, and what is maple-flavoured syrup. Despite their names being similar, these products are different – both in terms of ingredients and taste.

This article will provide a definition of both maple syrup and maple-flavoured syrup. We will ask which is healthier, and discuss their main similarities and discrepancies.

What is pure maple syrup?

Pure maple syrup is exactly that – 100% maple syrup. You may also see it labelled as organic maple syrup.

There’s not much to get confused about. Just one single ingredient is used. Maple syrup is produced from the sap that is collected from maple trees during the ‘tapping’ season. Tapping is the process of accessing and collecting sap from the trees; it usually involves drilling.

After the sap has been harvested, it is boiled down into the thick syrup that we know and love. No additives – such as flavourings, colourings or preservatives – are used. This isn’t a matter of choice – Canadian maple syrup producers are required to guarantee the purity of the product by national regulations.

You can tell the strength and flavour of maple syrup by its colour. Darker maple syrup – which is harvested later in the season – has a stronger, more robust flavour. Lighter maple syrup, such as the amber variety, is less intense and is produced earlier in the season.

Here are a couple of facts about maple syrup production that you may not have been aware of. Most maple trees from which sap is collected are at least 40 years old. And sticking with the number 40 – it takes 40 litres of sap to produce one litre of pure maple syrup.

What is maple-flavoured syrup?

Maple-flavoured syrup is a processed product that mimics the taste of pure maple syrup. You may also see it labelled as ‘pancake syrup’.

It is formed by combining pure maple syrup and corn syrup or an inverted sugar syrup. Some varieties may contain a very low volume of pure maple syrup – as little as 2%. The result of diluting or excluding maple syrup from the product is a significant reduction in nutritional benefits.

Ingredients of maple-flavoured syrup include sugar, water and various additives. Colourings, flavourings and thickeners are typically required to achieve a product that is comparable to the taste and texture of authentic maple syrup.

Is maple syrup healthier than maple-flavoured syrup?

Your suspicions may have already been confirmed: Yes, pure maple syrup is much healthier than maple-flavoured syrup.

One of the biggest reasons is the composition of the product. Pure maple syrup has 67 different polyphenols – this is a type of plant-based compound that has been shown to have powerful antioxidant properties. Not only that, but nine of these 67 polyphenols are completely unique to maple syrup.

The health benefits of authentic maple syrup over the artificial version are backed by medical research. A study that looked at replacing refined sugars with maple syrup over eight weeks significantly decreased abdominal fat mass and systolic blood pressure, while also improving glycaemic response during an oral glucose tolerance test.

In respect to diet, pure maple syrup may also be a clear winner for people who follow a gluten-free or vegan diet. In general, the presence of only one ingredient makes pure maple syrup a straightforward choice.

Is maple-flavoured syrup the same as maple syrup?

So in summary, maple-flavoured syrup is a completely different product to maple syrup.

Pure maple syrup contains just one ingredient: maple syrup. Maple flavoured syrup, however, typically contains corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, colouring and artificial flavours.

Next time you are out shopping and want to purchase pure maple syrup, don’t be misled by the packaging. Check the ingredient list to make sure you are getting the product you want.