Pure maple syrup is a great all-natural sweetener you can use in smoothies, baked goods, and of course, on top of pancakes! Unprocessed maple syrup is a goldmine of antioxidants and nutrients, so it can be a great alternative to sugar. Maple syrup is made by collecting sap from maple trees and then boiling it until most of the water has evaporated, leaving you with a delicious syrup.
Sugar or black maple trees in cold climates are best for syrup, because cold temperatures cause the trees to store starch in their trunks and roots, which then converts to sugar in the sap. Trees are usually tapped beginning at 30 to 40 years of age and can be tapped in up to 3-4 locations at once, depending on their trunk diameter. For thinner trees, it’s best to place only one tap in at a time.
Choose pure maple syrup from a single source. A farm’s label will ensure it's from one source and not a blended syrup.
Store maple syrup in the refrigerator once opened and keep cold.
As long as it is tightly sealed, it can last for months, and even years.
Studies show that maple syrup can help combat adult acne and is a natural anti-ager. Combine ground oats and maple syrup, then massage the combo onto your face and leave it for up to 20 minutes.
A tablespoon of dark maple syrup in your morning coffee will add a smoky sweetness.
Try this mini experiment at home! Make the first batch of maple syrup candy by heating it to 240 degrees then pouring into molds or baking pan to cool. Repeat this for the second batch but heating it to 300°F. Notice the difference of texture and taste?
Make maple syrup soaked doughnut holes. After frying, place them in a bowl of syrup to soak.
Brighten up roasted autumn veggies like butternut squash by drizzling some syrup on top.
Replace sugar in baking with the same amount of maple syrup, and reduce the amount of liquid the recipe calls for by about a half-cup.
Maple syrup is loaded with polyphenols, which work as antioxidants that lessen inflammation and reduce risk of heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.
Contains significant levels of manganese and zinc, and has 10 times more calcium than honey and much less sodium. Zinc keeps your level of white blood cells up, which increases your resistance to sickness.
In alternative health medicine, maple syrup is considered a bone strengthener and detoxifier.
Despite the fact that it's a type of sugar — sucrose — there are some studies that suggest that it could help prevent type-2 diabetes.
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