Why Choose Maple Syrup?
With so many sweeteners on the market–both artificial and naturally derived–it can be hard to know what to choose for your retail, food service, or bulk ingredient needs. Depending on your clientele, your choice may vary, but one thing we can say for sure is that there is more of a focus on natural, healthy food options these days. This angle can help to inform your decision and lead you to choose maple syrup. Let’s get into the details about why maple syrup is a good option and how using it can benefit your business in the long run.
Reasons To Choose Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup is almost exclusively produced in North America. The Northern United States and parts of Canada have the ideal climatic conditions and native tree species to allow for large scale maple syrup production. This alone–choosing a domestic product–is one reason that many businesses opt for real, pure, natural maple syrup as opposed to other sweeteners.
Maple syrup production is, by nature, a smaller industry than that of sugar cane. It has traditionally been done by local folk and indigenous populations, and centered in certain areas where maples naturally grow and thrive. Trees take decades to mature to the point of being used to harvest sap. By contrast, sugar production is an international endeavor using a grass species that can quickly grow in many locations. Sugar production has always had a controversial and troubled relationship with the natural world and the people involved in the process. Choosing maple syrup is a way to be intentional about environmental values.
If your clients are environmentally aware and concerned about how your products are produced, ask us about our organic maple syrup options–you can proudly offer your customers the very best.
Beyond the more deep rooted issues at play in the maple syrup discussion, there is also the very practical consideration of its impact on health. Let’s get into that next.
Maple Syrup and Nutrition
We do not claim to be medical or nutritional experts, but the information we’re going to share here is readily available on many trusted sources. Feel free to do your own research, and then also taste some maple syrup for good measure.
It’s long been established that large amounts of sugar–any type of pure sweetener–is not a healthy choice. There’s still a lot to learn on this front, but what we can say is that maple syrup stands above many, if not most, of the other available sweeteners on the market today.
Beyond the obvious sugars that maple syrup contains, it also retains some of the elements of the trees from which it was produced. Trees are masters of efficiently harvesting minerals from the earth and using them in their own life processes. Some of these minerals remain in the finished product when you purchase bulk maple syrup for your retail or food service operations.
Minerals and nutrients that can be found in maple syrup include:
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Vitamin B2
- Manganese
- Iron
These elements are known to support the immune system along with other bodily systems and general health and metabolism. Many of the above elements are also classified as being electrolytes. Pure maple syrup also contains up to 24 different antioxidants, which naturally help to reduce free radical damage that can lead to inflammation and disease.
In a natural product like maple syrup, the amounts and concentrations of nutrients will always vary from season to season, and when within the year the sap was harvested. But when you choose pure maple syrup, you can rest assured that you’re offering your customers more than just a sweetener.
On the topic of maple syrup’s sweetness, it is worth noting that maple syrup sits lower on the glycemic index than either sugar or honey, meaning that it releases sugar into the bloodstream at a lower rate. It also boasts the prebiotic fiber inulin, which can contribute to better gastrointestinal health. While we wouldn’t recommend overindulging in maple syrup, it certainly can carry health benefits when enjoyed in moderation. That’s especially true when compared with the empty calories in refined sugars and corn syrups that are used to make artificial maple syrup–they can’t touch the real thing in flavor or in nutrient profile.
Whether you opt for light and delicate or dark and robust, pure maple syrup is always going to naturally be the best choice.
How To Use Maple Syrup
Due to its flavor profile and other properties, maple syrup is extremely versatile in the kitchen. Of course the lighter grades are a must have for breakfast pancakes, waffles and more, but every grade of maple syrup has its own ideal applications.
Because of its unique flavor, maple syrup can be used for countless sweet and savory applications. Here is a sampling of some of the many ways to use maple syrup:
- Breakfast syrup
- Baked goods
- Salad dressings
- Glazes and marinades
- BBQ and other sauces
- Hot and cold drinks and cocktails
- Candies, ice creams and puddings
The darker the maple syrup, typically the more depth of flavor you’ll enjoy. Darker grades often have a more robust, bold flavor profile that can include bitter notes that play off of and enhance its natural sweetness. The complexity of its natural flavor can also help to enhance the overall flavor of various dishes and their ingredients.
Consumers are becoming more aware of the uses of maple syrup, and so they are looking for more retail options. When you use maple syrup in your food service operations, clients may not know exactly what they’re tasting in your recipes, they’ll just know it’s delicious. But we’d argue that letting folks know what that ‘something special’ is will get you kudos, all the way around.
Wholesale Maple Syrup from Bissell Maple Farm
Maple syrup is our passion and legacy, and we believe in its versatility–you need this on your store shelves and in your stockroom! Health in its relation to food and nutrition is only going to continue to grow in customers’ consciousness, and you can be there to offer a sustainable, natural, domestic product that brings superior flavor and value. Next time you’re in need of bulk maple syrup–standard or organic–reach out to your friends at Bissell Maple Farm. We’ve been at this work awhile now, and we love bringing you the best that nature has to offer. Contact us today to learn more about our products and how we can help your business.