When you think of an American or Continental breakfast, it always seems incomplete without pancakes and maple syrup, doesn’t it? The delectable pancakes slathered in gorgeous amber-brown maple syrup, almost have the best of us drooling, doesn’t it? What if we told you though that most of the times, the golden liquid you so amply pour onto your pancakes isn’t even natural maple syrup? In fact, that golden liquid, may or may not even contain 1% natural maple flavouring. Hard to believe, but true!
Welcome to the sometimes deceptive world of food flavourings. Maple flavoured syrup or pancake syrup as it is often called is an artificially created, maple syrup alternative. This is done simply to provide a larger audience with a cheaper sweetener, as natural maple syrup is a prized gourmet commodity and is, therefore, more expensive than the artificial variant.
Differences between Natural Maple Syrup and Maple flavoured or Pancake Syrup explained
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Natural Maple Syrup vs Pancake Syrup: Production Methods
When comparing Natural Maple Syrup vs Pancake Syrup, the former has only one ingredient: maple sap. This maple sap is collected into receptacles through a process called tapping. It’s a simple process through which tiny holes are drilled into the sugar maple tree, and its circulating fluid or sap is collected in buckets. This sap is then boiled until most of its water content evaporates. What is left behind is a thick syrup which is then treated to remove impurities. Pancake syrup or maple flavoured syrup is an artificially produced maple syrup substitute. It is made in an industrial process that uses sweeteners like white sugar, or worse high-fructose corn syrup, which is mixed in with artificial maple flavouring.
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Why Natural Maple Syrup Costs More
When you weigh Natural Maple Syrup vs Pancake Syrup, it’s important to consider that 85% of the world’s natural maple syrup comes from the Eastern Canadian province of Quebec. The sugar maple tree, native to this region is tapped to produce the finest natural maple syrup known to man. Considering its rarity and the limited amount of the stuff produced every year, combined with high demand, it is little wonder that natural maple syrup is much more expensive than commercially produced pancake syrup.
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Health Risks of Using Pancake Syrup
In the debate between Natural Maple Syrup vs Pancake Syrup, it’s crucial to note that pancake syrup often contains high fructose corn syrup as a main ingredient. There are many known health risks associated with HFCS, including an increase in the risk of obesity, fatty liver disease, diabetes, renal failure, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. Consuming large amounts of pancake syrup, therefore, open you up to many of the same health risks. HFCS has a high glycemic index and is metabolized faster by the liver, resulting in what is known as a sugar rush, followed by a severe crash. This can wreak havoc with your blood sugar levels and in the long run can decrease insulin sensitivity, leading to Type 2 diabetes.
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Health Benefits of Natural Maple Syrup
Like anything natural, when consumed in moderation, natural maple syrup is good for you. Chock-full of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, natural maple syrup provides your body with beneficial minerals like zinc (which is critical for heart health), manganese (male and female reproductive health), benzoic acid (critical for skin health), gallic acid (prevents gastrointestinal, neuropsychological, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders), and several other flavanols. Natural Maple Syrup also helps reduce fatigue and dehydration.
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Taste the difference: Unique flavour profiles
Natural Maple Syrup is made from one simple ingredient, maple sap. When this maple sap is boiled, its flavour profile is enhanced considerably. Most of the water evaporates, and what is left behind is a complex syrup that is sweet, yet deep and mellow. Some people say that you can taste the forest on your tongue. In contrast, pancake syrup is made from high fructose corn syrup, which means it is highly concentrated sugar, enhanced with an artificial maple flavouring. The overwhelming taste when compared to its natural counterpart, therefore, is sweetness with no complexity of flavour.
In the discussion of Natural Maple Syrup vs Pancake Syrup, it’s clear that natural maple syrup stands out as one of Canada’s most sought-after products. Maple Joe Natural Maple Syrup is one of Quebec’s most proud offerings and exports. We at Chenab Impex are proud to offer one of the world’s most authentic and top quality maple syrup. Begin your exploration of natural maple syrup with us. Visit us at www.chenabgourmet.com and check out some of the world’s most iconic food brands.