![]() ![]() When cleaning equipment, organic producers must use potable water and organic soaps. For instance, all product is required to be stored in stainless steel – sap in tanks, and syrup in drums. We use certified organic safflower oil to defoam our syrup.ĭo any unsafe materials come into contact with your product To be certified organic, maple producers must demonstrate that they do not allow any unsafe chemical contaminants to touch the end product (maple syrup) during any step of the production process. Common defoamers include milk products such as cream or butter, synthetic chemical-based defoamers, and various vegetable oils. We follow the guidelines set out by Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF) when tapping our 11,000 trees, which include: (1) limitations on tapping trees under a certain diameter, (2) restrictions on putting new taps too close to last year’s hole, and (3) the number of taps allowed per tree.ĭo you use organic defoamers when boiling the sap? All sugarmakers use a defoamer when boiling their sap into syrup in order to decrease foam in the evaporator. That’s why it’s important to follow specific tapping guidelines to help maintain a healthy and happy sugarbush. But the way a forest is managed – for example, how often trees are thinned – determines the long-term health of the entire forest ecosystem, which includes maple trees! When our organic inspector reviews our forest management plan, they check to make sure we’re providing a quality habitat for wildlife and promoting biodiversity in our sugarbush.ĭo you follow the appropriate guidelines for tapping your trees Tapping a tree can impact the tree’s lifespan, ability to grow, and vulnerability to disease. Some of these include:ĭo you have an approved forest management plan? You might wonder how a forest management plan is related to whether or not the syrup on your kitchen table is organic. In Vermont, Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF), an agency certified by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), reviews the maple syrup farm and gives approval for certification.ĭuring the certification process, producers are evaluated across various areas. To be certified organic, a certifying agency must inspect the entire maple syrup production process annually. Though there are a number of antioxidants in maple syrup, they don’t offset its high dose of sugar.How are maple syrup producers certified organic? If you need to lose weight or improve your metabolic health, you would be better off skipping sweeteners altogether instead of going for maple syrup. ![]() ![]() One study estimated that replacing all the refined sugar in the average diet with alternative sweeteners like maple syrup would increase your total antioxidant intake as much as eating a single serving of nuts or berries ( 9). However, the total antioxidant content is still low compared to the large amounts of sugar. One study found 24 different antioxidants in maple syrup ( 7).ĭarker syrups like Grade B supply more of these beneficial antioxidants than lighter ones ( 8). Studies indicate that maple syrup is a decent source of antioxidants. Oxidative damage, which is caused by free radicals, is believed to be among the mechanisms behind aging and many diseases.Īntioxidants can neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative damage, potentially lowering your risk of some diseases. Maple syrup contains a small amount of minerals, such as manganese and zinc. This implies that maple syrup raises blood sugar slower than regular sugar. ![]() In comparison, table sugar has a glycemic index of around 65 ( 6). The glycemic index of maple syrup is around 54. In addition, the high sugar content may affect your blood sugar levels - though maple syrup may be a better option than regular sugar in that regard. If you eat a balanced diet, then your chance of lacking any of these nutrients is very low. The best way to get these minerals is to eat whole foods. Most people already eat copious amounts of sugar. The fact that maple syrup contains some minerals is a very poor reason to eat it, given its high sugar content. Maple syrup is about 2/3 sucrose, or table sugar - 1/3 cup (80 ml) supplies around 60 grams of sugar.Ĭonsumed in excess, sugar may be a leading cause of some of the world’s biggest health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease ( 3, 4, 5). Though maple syrup provides a decent amount of some minerals, especially manganese and zinc, keep in mind that it also packs plenty of sugar. What sets maple syrup apart from refined sugar is its minerals and antioxidants.Īround 1/3 cup (80 ml) of pure maple syrup contains ( 2): Contains Some Vitamins and Minerals - But Is High in Sugar ![]()
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