Maple syrup: properties, benefits, uses and which one to choose

Maple syrup is a well-loved natural sweetener used in North America. Let's find out all the properties and benefits of this product but also how to choose a quality maple syrup.

Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerous

Lo Maple syrup is a much loved natural sweetener used in North America. Let's discover all the properties and benefits of this product but also how to choose a quality maple syrup.

Index

What is Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is a sweet liquid that si derives from the sap of two varieties of maple: Acer saccharum (sugar maple) and Acer saccharum nigrum (black maple). In fact, there are different varieties of maple grown all over the world but the syrup is mainly obtained from the sap of some species of Canadian maple (widespread especially in Québec), which is why this natural product is particularly appreciated and consumed in those lands.

The local populations since ancient times used to extract the sap of these trees to obtain crystals useful for the sweetening of food, only over time was the production of the real syrup experimented.

Maple syrup, how it is produced

The sap of the maple is extracted in spring (March-April) then it is boiled in order to obtain the syrup. The price of the product is quite high but this is also justified by the fact that 40 liters of sap are needed to obtain a liter of product.
The extraction of the sap does not seem to be a process that makes the tree suffer and the same trees are used several times to produce the syrup in different years.

Maple syrup: properties, benefits, uses and which one to choose

Properties of maple syrup

Maple syrup is rich in properties and beneficial substances for our body. Mainly, mineral salts such as potassium, calcium and iron stand out, as well as vitamins and malic acid.

It is therefore a product that is on the one hand remineralizing and energizing and on the other purifying and draining. Excellent food then to ensure a certain dose of antioxidants that help fight cellular aging and help the well-being of the skin.

Maple syrup helps the digestive and intestinal systems, it has few calories and is also an ally of those on a diet as it reactivates the fat thermogenesis (or has fat-burning qualities). It is a natural product also appreciated for its average glycemic index, which is lower than that of other sweeteners.

A US research a few years ago also highlighted how some substances present in particular in Quebec maple syrup would be able to inhibit two enzymes responsible for the hydrolyzing of carbohydrates and therefore it would be a particularly useful product for manage type 2 diabetes.

In summary, maple syrup is:

Rich in minerals and vitamins
Antioxidant
Depurative
Draining
Energizing
Helps the digestive and intestinal system
It is low in calories
Average glycemic index
Reactivates thermogenesis of fats

Maple syrup, benefits

Maple syrup is a product perfect for both adults and children. In addition to sweetening, its benefits can be exploited by using it as a real one mineral salt supplement, vitamins and antioxidants when you need them most or after training in the case of athletes.

Who is on a diet, then, can take advantage of the capacity of this syrup drain excess fluids. It is therefore a recommended product for those who have problems with the lymphatic system.

The purifying but also soothing and rebalancing qualities on the gastrointestinal system make it a natural remedy suitable for combating colitis, gastritis or constipation.

You can try maple syrup:

As a more natural alternative to sugar
As a natural supplement even after sport
When you are on a diet
If you need to drain liquids
Against colitis, gastritis or constipation

Maple syrup, calories

Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that is less caloric than others, in fact it provides About 250 calories per 100 grams. It ranks third after stevia and molasses in the ranking of the lowest calorie sweeteners.

You use maple syrup

Maple syrup is an excellent sugar substitute and other sweeteners. It can be used safely to sweeten cold or hot drinks, cakes, biscuits, smoothies, spoon desserts and to make candy or lollipops, etc.

As American tradition teaches, maple syrup is perfect on pancakes, pancakes of which there are many variations and which can be enjoyed at breakfast or as a snack sweetened with maple syrup or stuffed with other ingredients.

Read also: PANCAKE: THE ORIGINAL RECIPE AND 10 VARIATIONS

In summary, maple syrup can be used to sweeten:

Drinks
Smoothies
Cakes
Biscuits
Spoon desserts
Pancake

But also to create:

Candies
lecca lecca

If you want to use maple syrup in sweet preparations instead of traditional sugar, keep in mind that the conversion wants to 75 grams of maple syrup (grade A) per 100 grams of refined sugar. It will then be your specific taste that will make you better calibrate the use of this natural sweetener in subsequent preparations.

Natural supplement based on maple syrup: recipe

There is also a use of maple syrup for detoxifying and purifying purposes. The most classic recipe involves combining with a liter and a half of water, il juice of one whole lemon e 2 tablespoons of maple syrup sipping several times during the day but always away from meals.

Maple syrup, which one to choose

There are several varieties of maple syrup classified with “Grade” A, B or C which can be recognized because the color of the liquid is more or less clear and the consistency more or less full-bodied. This mainly depends on how much the sap has been boiled even if there are other variables.

The most common maple syrup is the clear one which, however, is also the most refined while more difficult to find is the intense and dark one (grade C maple syrup), more full-bodied and resembling molasses with a slight aftertaste of molasses.

The taste is also different: some variations are more delicate, others more intense. The more common one however has a delicate flavor that is somewhat reminiscent of acacia honey.

In summary, maple syrup can be:

Grade A: clearer and more refined with a sweet flavor
Grade B: a cross between A and C
Grade C: darker, more intense and full-bodied

The best syrup we recommend is that of Canadian origin of organic origin and 100% pure that is, made without using other ingredients or additives.

Maple syrup, where to find it and price

Good quality maple syrup can be purchased in supermarkets, organic food stores, well-stocked health food stores but also online. The price for 250 ml of product part from approximately EUR 8 but for particularly valuable varieties, it can even go up to 15 euros.

Maple syrup, contraindications

Since it is a sweetener with a medium glycemic index, the use of maple syrup in people suffering from diabetes. In some cases, it is possible to have allergic reactions to the product.

Maple syrup, cosmetic uses

Did you know that maple syrup is also suitable for cosmetic uses? Due to its remineralized and antioxidant qualities, it can be used both to make toning and anti-aging creams for the body what products designed for the well-being of the hair. A simple one hair strengthening recipe provides for example of combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, keep them on for about 30 minutes before rinsing with warm water.