What is Maple Sugar? Maple Sugar vs Maple Syrup

What is Maple Sugar?

The history of maple-based sweeteners extends back further than the granulated form of cane sugar we are all very familiar with today. Just like sugarcane, maple syrup is a naturally occurring sweetener which comes from trees. This made it easy to discover and harvest, even centuries ago. Eventually, people realized you can create maple sugar by boiling down maple syrup until the water evaporates, leaving behind a solid form of maple syrup known as maple sugar. When used as a substitute for regular granulated sugar, keep in mind maple sugar tends to be twice as sweet, so use it sparingly! As a bonus, the lower glycemic levels of maple sugar make it an ideal choice for those with diabetes. The unique flavor of maple pairs well with so many cuisines, making it just as popular of a sweetener today as it was in the past.

How is Maple Sugar Made?

For those who want to experiment with maple sugar, it's luckily readily available to purchase, but it's also fairly simple to make! Like we mentioned above, maple sugar is the leftover result of boiling maple syrup, meaning you only need one ingredient!

Start with quality pure maple syrup. Most organic maple syrups come from either Vermont or Canada. To acquire the sticky sweet stuff, maple trees are tapped using a spile and from there sap may flow into a bucket for harvest. The sap is then boiled until it reaches a temperature of 219°F, and from henceforth it is known as maple syrup. 

There are many different grades of maple syrup, and when making maple sugar it is standard to use a lighter maple syrup, either golden or amber. Darker grades of maple syrup could be used if you desire a stronger flavor closer to brown sugar or molasses. From there, all you need to turn maple syrup into maple sugar is a pan, a candy thermometer, and a food processor. To avoid a mess, find a pan with high sides to catch any bubbles from spilling over. If you're a seasoned baker, you likely have all these items on hand.

If you want to make your own batch of maple sugar, follow these steps:

1. Place two cups of maple syrup in a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Bring syrup to a boil. Only stir to settle the syrup if it begins to boil over.
3. Use a candy thermometer to test the mixture. The syrup needs to reach 260 degrees Fahrenheit, which should take around 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Remove from heat immediately after the mixture reaches 260 degrees.
5. Stir the mixture continuously for about 5 minutes. The mixture should reach a consistency similar to brown sugar.
6. Let the mixture cool completely before removing it from the pan.
7. Once cool, break up any clumps and create a more unified granulated texture by using a food processor.



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Maple Sugar vs Maple Syrup in Cooking and Baking

Although both maple sweetener products, there are differences between the two that go beyond the difference in texture and consistency. Believe it or not, boiling maple syrup changes a lot of the nutrients and overall sugar content when turned into sugar. While maple syrup has higher levels of vitamin B2, maple sugar contains more minerals like manganese, iron, zinc, and copper. Generally, both maple products contain more vitamins and minerals than regular cane sugar, making both options slightly healthier.

If you ever had maple cured bacon or a maple flavored donut, you'll know how versatile maple sugar is! If you simply want to add a maple flavoring to your desserts or savory dishes, maple products can be a great way to amplify your recipes. Both maple sugar and maple syrup are sweeter than granulated sugar, so it’s best to keep that in mind when using either option as a substitute. 

When it comes down to choosing which maple product to use, it really comes down to what you're making. Obviously, since maple syrup is a liquid sweetener, it will be more useful when using it to sweeten beverages since it will dissolve more easily. You can use maple sugar to sweeten up baked goods or even savory BBQ dishes. Only your imagination stops you from discovering all the uses of maple sugar!

Storing Maple Sugar

Even from the beginning, maple sugar was created and valued for its long shelf life. When stored properly in a dry, cool location, expect maple sugar to have a similar shelf life to thicker sugars like brown sugar. You can typically store maple sugar for up to two years before it starts to go bad, although you can extend that time frame if you freeze an excess supply of sugar. In this case, bulk purchases come in handy, since you won't have to worry about wasting product.

Where to Buy Maple Sugar in Bulk

If you don't have time to gather the best ingredients to create top notch maple sugar, why not trust someone who already did it for you? Indiana Sugars only uses the highest quality ingredients to help you stand out from the crowd. Maple flavored donuts, cakes, and even BBQ sauces never fail to sell, so buying in bulk is your best bet!

We at Indiana Sugars understand the food and beverage industry better than anyone, and we know the value of using unique, trustworthy products to spice up your offerings. In nearly 100 years of business, we see our service as helping our partners and friends, not just another customer, because with us you receive customer service excellence. If you want superior maple products, then look no further! In addition, we carry other maple products like maple flakes and maple syrup. While you're there, explore our other sugar and sweetener options and let us cover all your needs. Contact us today to get started with your first shipment. You will always be able to find what you need and rely on our timely shipments so you never have to worry about short supply ever again.