Maple syrup was first obtained by Indiansthe indigenous people of northeastern North America. This was associated with rituals at the time, as they considered the syrup to be a nutritious energy drink. They cut the bark of the maple trees and extracted the sap using tubes, and then – through thermal treatment – they thickened it. During the colonial period, in the 17th century, European traders collected maple sap by drilling special holes in the trees. They made both syrup and sugar from it.
Today, the largest producers of maple syrup are Canada and the United States. They produce it from maple sap of three species of trees: sugar maple, black maple and red maple. It is a natural food product that does not contain preservatives and is obtained in a way that is non-invasive to plants. Only the juice is thickened with preservatives and chemicals. To produce a liter of maple syrup, you need to evaporate the water from 20 to 50 liters of the obtained sap. The entire production process is strictly controlled to ensure that the syrup contains the right amount of sugar. An excess of it would cause crystallization, and a deficiency would result in rapid deterioration of the product.
Maple syrup is considered a good sugar substitutebecause it provides the body with nutrients. There are approximately 270 kcal in 100 grams of syrup, and as much as 400 kcal in the same portion of sugar. However, it should be remembered that the syrup still contains significant amounts of sucrose and has a high glycemic index (GI = 65). For these reasons, diabetics should not use it.
Is maple syrup healthy? It is a good alternative to white sugar, which is called “empty calories” and does not contain valuable nutritional values. Maple syrup is a source of antioxidants and B vitamins. It also includes a number of minerals – the most important ones include zinc, iron, manganese, selenium, calcium, potassium and sodium.
Maple syrup ensures the proper functioning of the nervous system and brain. It supports the immune and cardiovascular systems, counteracts the aging process and reduces the risk of many lifestyle diseases (including atherosclerosis, heart attacks, cancer). It also helps maintain a healthy skeletal system and liver. Food product also shows antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties i improves the appearance of skin, hair and nails. Minerals accelerate fat burningand, consequently, reduction of fat tissue.
Some people choose honey instead of sugar. Maple syrup vs honey – which is better? is a product made by bees, and the syrup is obtained from trees. Although honey is called a natural antibiotic because it has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, it also has a lot of calories. It turns out that maple syrupwhich provides the body with nutrients, it is lower in calories than honey (about 35 kcal / 100 grams). Honey may also have a higher glycemic index (up to 85).
It’s important that use maple syrup in the kitchen as an addition. You can’t eat it in excess because it is a sweetener. Stays fresh for up to 18 monthsso a bottle of syrup will definitely last you a long time. It is worth knowing that a lighter-colored product has a more delicate taste, while a darker one has a distinctive, slightly “burnt” aftertaste.
The most popular use of syrup in the kitchen is, of course, pouring it over American pancakes. However, you can add it too for pancakes, waffles and even French toast. Wherever you would use honey, syrup will work great. So there’s nothing stopping you from doing so sweeten cakes, salads or meat marinades with it.
Source: Terazgotuje.pl, bee.pl, wikipedia.pl
