Maple sugar: composition, benefits, uses

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Maple syrup is a traditional Canadian food that has been mined for centuries. The raw material for obtaining is the juice of sugar maple. The population of Canada appreciates such sugar very much, so no breakfast is complete without it. For example, candied syrup is added to tea, and breakfast (pancakes) is filled directly with whole syrup. Many people are confident in the benefits of maple sugar, believing that it is more saturated with trace elements and vitamins than the usual granulated sugar.

History

Maple serves not only as a raw material for creating delicious syrup, but also as an inspiration for Canadians. No wonder the symbol of their state is this tree. The sugar plant tends to grow to a greater extent in the southeast of the country. The extraction of juice, from which the syrup is eventually made, falls on the period when the buds of the tree are just swelling. This happens when winter ends. A simple discovery was marked not only by the hype in Canada, but throughout the world. In America, for example, people are happy to eat syrup every day, and it doesn't have to be a main course.

Substitutes for sugar and maple syrup. It can also be used because it is almost as sweet as granulated sugar, but the advantage is that it also contains many vitamins.

In 1760, maple sugar was first mentioned in writing. It is important that this technology was not developed by the Canadians, it was already known to the Indians who inhabited North America. Their technology was simpler - they made a small cavity in the crown of the maple, from where the juice flowed. It was poured into small clay containers so that the liquid stood and thickened at night. The result was a very sweet treat.

The invention and popularization of maple sugar did not help reduce the average cost of regular cane sugar. And even good quality and a set of useful elements in the composition could not change the situation.

Production

Today, maple sugar is produced not only in Canada, but also in New York and Vermont. Technology has changed a lot. Now, to get 1 liter of syrup, you need to thicken about 40 liters of juice. Viscosity and color saturation of the product directly depends on how long it has been evaporated.

Many industries are expanding due to the production of honey and oil from maple sap. These are also equally useful products.

The syrup has its own individual markings:

1. AA - this group includes products with a light shade and a very pleasant and unobtrusive taste.
2. A - labeling for a syrup that is slightly brownish in color and has a fairly rich and vibrant flavor.
3. C -it is generally a dark-colored variety with a very sweet and pungent taste.

So that the syrup does not lose its specificity, it must be kept in the refrigerator.

Application

Maple sugar reviews give an opportunity to understand where it is used most often - mainly in Europe, USA, Canada, Asia. In particular, restaurants in these areas use the product to add a touch of sophistication and sweetness to dishes. Also, in many cafes, the ingredient is used as an additive, a sweetener for pancakes, waffles, muesli.

Often, many housewives use this ingredient. For example, in order to bake a ham, you need to season it with a small amount of syrup. In order to make a delicious dessert, many people add syrup to the cream, mix thoroughly, getting the perfect decoration for any kind of treat.

Composition

Maple syrup contains about 260 kcal. It is rich in large amounts of potassium, calcium and iron. There is no sucrose and fat in the product, it is filled only with glucose, which is most preferable for the human body.

Maple sugar contains more calories - 354. Despite this, it is also good for humans. Its composition remains unchanged, so this type of sweets is more suitable for daily consumption. It does not affect weight gain so much, it nourishes and creates a feeling of satiety for a long period. Therefore, maple syrup can be safely used instead of sugar.

It also containsB vitamins, as well as a lot of natural antioxidants. They are necessary for the good functioning of the body, especially in modern conditions, when few people follow their diet. Antioxidants are able to fight diverse diseases, including cancer, because they remove a lot of toxins from the body.