Sweeteners are, in my opinion, a pantry essential.
Not only for baking and satisfying a sweet tooth, but for balancing savory dishes as well.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stood over a pot of pasta sauce, feeling it needs a little something… and often a drop of honey or pinch of sugar is what does the trick.
I do have a list of sweeteners that I like to keep in my pantry – the basics are soft brown sugar, raw sugar and coconut palm sugar for most baking. Always a raw honey and when I find it, I love a sweet & tangy pomegranate molasses for brightening up beef stew and salad dressings.
But one of my favorite sweeteners, is pure organic maple syrup.
Growing up, I ate maple syrup exclusively with pancakes and frozen waffles. These days I’m not as rigid in my kitchen.
Looking to buy organic maple syrup in Singapore or internationally? Check out these two great options:
- Singapore: get organic maple syrup delivered via Foodsterr.com. Get 10% off any order with the coupon code LGD10 at checkout.
- International: order organic maple syrup from iHerb.com. $5 off to first-time customers, with great delivery prices (incl. to Singapore).
Maple syrup has such a gorgeous flavour, of almost cooked caramel and smoked wood – It’d be a miss not to add it to your bbq sauces, glazes and marinades. I also favour maple syrup over honey for making homemade granolas and nut-butters.
Let’s get to know a little more about this versatile ingredient
A Well Stocked Pantry – Maple Syrup
What is Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup is a sap, that comes from the Maple tree. Sap is made as the tree mixes ground water with its own natural sugars. During what’s called sugaring season the tree is tapped, the sap is collected and transported to tanks where the water content is then evaporated and boiled off, until the sugar caramelizes into a thick syrup. The sugarmaker continuously test the thickness of the sap as it boils down, until it’s just right.
It’s then filtered, tasted and finally graded. There are different species of maple trees, grown in different areas and graded under different systems.
But, often you’ll see two commercial grades, Grade A and Grade B
Grade A is considered premium, for eating straight from the bottle and Grade B is used mostly for cooking with.
There are also variations in color: Golden which is light and subtle in flavour, Amber is rich to Dark, which is more robust.
What to look for in buying Maple Syrup
It’s important not to confuse maple syrup with maple flavoured syrup, breakfast syrup or other confusing labels. That’s usually high-fructose corn syrup with artificial maple flavourings.
Always look for 100% pure maple syrup.
If you want a subtle maple syrup flavour to use as a topping or in cocktails, look for Grade A Light Amber.
For a more flavourful syrup, that goes well with pancakes, waffles but also shines through in baking and cooking, Grade A Dark Amber is a good choice.
If you ever visit areas where maple syrup is produced, in Canada or Vermont, you can buy maple syrup directly from a sugarmaker, on their farm or in farmers markets. I think that would be such a rich addition to your kitchen pantry.
The brand that I’ve been using and loving for years, is Great Northern from Canada, Grade A Dark Amber. It’s easy to find, incredibly versatile and absolutely delicious.
How to Eat Maple Syrup
My favorite way, still, is simply drizzled over pancakes, french toast and waffles.
In baking, you can replace 1 cup of white sugar with 3/4 cup of maple syrup and reduce the liquid in the recipe by 3 tablespoons. It’s really good for banana cakes.
Maple syrup compliments flavours like, apples, bacon, ginger, herbs, hot spices, lemon, mustard, nuts, pork, salmon, scallops, soy sauce and warm spices. Make vinaigrettes, marinades, glazes and bbq sauces.
Here are some great recipes for you to try:
- Infused Maple Syrup
- Blueberry Maple Syrup
- Delicious Cold Brewed Coffee
- Amazing Homemade Pancakes
- One Mug Pancakes
- Interactive Breakfast Crepes
- Happy, Healthy & Homemade Granola
- Addictive Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas
- Pumpkin Maple Popcorn
Where to buy organic maple syrup in Singapore
Looking to buy organic maple syrup in Singapore or internationally? Check out these two great options:
- Singapore: get organic maple syrup delivered via Foodsterr.com. Get 10% off any order with the coupon code LGD10 at checkout.
- International: order organic maple syrup from iHerb.com. $5 off to first-time customers, with great delivery prices (incl. to Singapore).
