Disclaimer: The findings discussed are lab based and further studies need to be done.
Have you ever wondered where in North America your maple syrup has come from?
Initially, you might think to yourself “Why does it matter; isn’t it all the same?” The answer is no. The newest research into this area suggests that the maple syrup you buy differs depending on the geographic location of where it was harvested from the maple trees.
A recent study analyzed maple syrup samples from North America, including the Canadian provinces, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, and the American states, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The findings showed that maple syrup from Nova Scotia had the highest phenolic contents. Next were Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts samples which were all equivalent in phenolic content. Lastly, were the New Brunswick and Quebec provinces with the lowest content.
This means if you have the choice, consider buying samples with more phenolic content from one of these regions, which have great antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Reference: Chamila Nimalaratne, Jane Blackburn, Rajasekaran R. Lada,
A comparative physicochemical analysis of maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) syrup produced in North America with special emphasis on seasonal changes in Nova Scotia maple syrup composition, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, Volume 92, 2020, 103573, ISSN 0889-1575.