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The maple syrup industry is located only in North America. Maple trees grow and thrive only in specific regions of North America, specifically the areas from
New England to Minnesota and the Canadian provinces that border on those states. Some small maple forests may also be found as far south as Kentucky and Virginia.
In short, the maple industry covers the northeast quarter of the North American continent. As a result, few other regions know about the difference between pure
maple syrup and imitation syrup that are found side by side in the grocery stores today
Color is an important factor in grading and classifying maple syrup. The top grade is Light Amber and is very pale in color with a mild maple flavor. Most people
who are not real maple syrup connoisseurs do not like this grade as much as the next two grades. Medium Amber is a little darker in color than the light amber,
but still has a mild flavor. Dark Amber is, of course, a little darker yet, with an average strength flavor. Dark and Medium Amber are the two most popular table /
grade syrups. They are flavorful, but not too over powering like the commercial grade or grade B syrup. Commercial or grade B syrup is anything darker than dark amber.
It has a very strong flavor and can be almost too dark to see though. It is great for cooking and for flavoring, but many feel it is too strong a flavor for pancakes.
Each of these grades of syrup are made the same way. The time of season the syrup was made or the condition of the sap collected will cause these variations in grade.
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