Maple syrup is a natural and popular sweetener made from maple tree sap. This sap has a sweet and delicious taste and is used as a natural and healthy alternative to sugar and industrial sweeteners.
One of the most important characteristics of maple syrup is its natural sweetness. Since maple syrup is made from maple sap, there is no need to add sugar and industrial sweeteners.
The uses of maple syrup are very diverse. This sap is used for adding a sweet taste to all kinds of foods and sweets, especially pancakes & waffles. As a natural substitute for sugar and artificial sweeteners, maple syrup has some advantages, especially for those who are looking for a healthy diet and reducing their sugar intake. Join us in this article to learn more about the uses of maple syrup and its advantages.
What is Maple Syrup?
Maple syrup is one of the most popular syrups that is used in cafes and restaurants. Maple syrup is often used for pancakes and waffles. Apart from that, it is also added to foods as a sauce with a sweet taste.
For the first time, native Americans discovered the method of making maple syrup. By making a hole in the maple tree’s bark, they extracted its honey-like sap and boiled it with a little water. From then on, Canada and European countries also started to produce maple syrup by using the technology.
There are several uses for maple syrup. In some countries, the maple tree’s sap is used as a foodstuff and in some others it is used as a medicine. Maple syrup is thick and sweet with a warm nature.
Advantages of Maple Syrup
Maple sap contains antioxidants and many minerals and vitamins that are very beneficial for the body. In the following, we will examine 8 advantages of maple syrup:
1. Cardiovascular Health
Maple sap contains zinc and potassium. These vitamins are very useful for the cardiovascular health. Potassium protects heart rate and zinc protects heart muscle and its
blood vessels.
2. Strengthening the Immune System
As you know, antioxidants strengthen the function of the body’s immune system. Maple syrup is rich in antioxidants that strengthen the immune system and prevent all kinds of diseases.
3. Prevent diabetes
Maple syrup is used as a natural sweetener and may be a good alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners in foods and drinks. Maple sap contains abscisic acid that prevents diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. It also maintains healthy blood sugar in the body.
Keep in mind that although maple syrup has natural sweetness, over consumption may result in an increase in blood sugar. Therefore, people who are suffering from diabetes or need to manage their sugar intake, should pay attention to the consumption amount of this substance.
4. Improve Digestive Health
Maple sap is a source of probiotics. Probiotics are foods that increase the growth of helpful bacteria in the intestine.
5. Caring Youth and Dermal Health
As like as natural honey, maple sap is rich in antioxidants that maintain the skin’s youth and beauty. You can use maple sap as a face mask to rejuvenate the skin.
6. Increasing Body Metabolism
Maple sap is rich in vitamins and minerals that strengthen the metabolic process in the body.
7. Coping with Stress and Depression
Maple sap is rich in manganese and antioxidants. They have relaxing effect and reduce stress and depression. Drinking maple sap with warm water before going to bed helps to improve the sleep quality and refreshes you after sleep.
8. Fitness
Over-consumption of sweets, especially sugar, causes overweight and obesity. Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that contains lower sugar than sugar and honey.
Various Kinds of Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is divided into 4 main kinds. Different grades of maple syrup have their specific uses. So, make sure you are using the right kind when you cooking.
- Low Concentration Syrup (Golden Syrup): This kind of syrup is mostly used for glazing cakes and cookies.
- Medium Concentration Syrup (Amber Syrup): This kind of syrup is used for making sweet drinks and ice tea.
- Slightly Thick Syrup (Dark Syrup): These kind of syrup is known as sap because of its concentration. It is mostly used to add flavor and sweetness to all kinds of food and drinks.
- Thick Syrup (Very Dark Syrup): This kind of syrup is used as a base for fruit drinks, hot and cold drinks and co*cktails.
Maple Syrup Uses
The usages of maple syrup are very diverse. It can be used for any meals. Maple sap adds a delicious and mild sweetness with a natural flavor to foods.
Using maple syrup, you can flavor some of your favorite foods. Here are some ideas that you can try.
- Pour maple syrup on pancakes, waffles and French toast;
- Add maple syrup and cinnamon to the cooked apple;
- Pour maple syrup on the ice cream;
- For cooking vegetables, mix maple syrup with butter;
- Pour maple syrup over hot cereal;
- Pour some maple syrup on the cinnamon rolls as a substitute the icing;
- Add maple syrup to fruit salad;
- Try the salad dressing with maple syrup, balsamic vinegar and olive oil;
- Pour maple syrup over grilled salmon;
- Chop the fruits and use the maple syrup as sauce.
Better to know that maple syrup is a natural sweetener and does not have the taste and attraction of artificial sweeteners that are produced by adding chemicals and synthetics. Therefore, you can make maple syrup uses more attractive by using several flavoring methods.
Adding Fruit Nectar:Add a few drops of fruit nectar such as lemon or orange and other sour fruits to the maple syrup, you can add a mild sour taste to the syrup. For more convenience, you can use Sunich flavored syrups.
- Sunich Flavored Blue Carasao Syrup
- Sunich Flavored Cranberry Syrup
Using spices:Adding spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger or vanilla to maple syrup can give it a special taste and aroma. These spices can elevate the syrup’s
taste. If it is difficult to flavor maple syrup, you can use Sunich flavored syrups.
- Sunich Flavored Cinnamon Syrup
- Sunich Flavored Mint Syrup
- Sunich Flavored Rose Flower Syrup
- Sunich Flavored Vanilla Syrup
Mixing with Other Sweeteners:Mix maple syrup with other natural sweeteners such as honey, date sap or sekanjabin, or use sekanjabin syrup.
Mixing with Different Ingredients:By mixing maple syrup with other ingredients, you can make a new and more interesting flavor or try Sunich flavored syrups.
- Sunich Flavored Almond Syrup
- Sunich Flavored Chocolate Syrup
- Sunich Flavored Hazelnut Syrup
- Sunich Flavored Caramel Syrup
Last Word
Maple syrup is a popular natural sweetener used as a healthy substitute for sugar and artificial sweeteners. This syrup contains antioxidants that enhance health of the body’s cells.
By using maple syrup, you can sweeten your food and drinks in a natural and healthy way. However, you should pay attention to its consumption, especially if you need to control your sugar intake.
Maple syrup, with its unique taste and properties, is an attractive and healthy option for sweetening foods and drinks.
