Maple syrup
Maple syrup is a thickened sap obtained by evaporating the sap of deciduous trees from the Sapindov family: sugar maple, red maple, and black maple. These types of maples grow in North America and reach a height of thirty meters, and one meter in diameter.
Maple syrup is a translucent or transparent thick, aromatic, viscous liquid that can be compared in consistency to amber honey. At different stages of evaporation of the syrup, sugar, oil and maple honey are obtained from it.
History
The most developed extraction of maple sap in Canada, where sugar maple grows in forests everywhere. It even became a national symbol: the image of a maple leaf can be seen on the country's national flag. The main syrup producer is Quebec.
The tradition of collecting maple juice to the current inhabitants of Quebec came from the Indians, who many years ago noticed the miraculous benefits of maple syrup and developed recipes for its production over several generations.
There are many traditions associated with harvesting maple sap. So, for example, with the beginning of the gathering season, the inhabitants of local villages arrange the Seeing Off of Winter. This holiday is called "Kaban-a-syukr", and translated from French means "Sugar hut". In the immediate vicinity of the places where maple sap is collected, residents set up temporary houses and tables for guests, install equipment for preparing various sweets using the juice. This holiday is very much revered by the locals. Children love to eat delicacies with maple syrup: pancakes with peasant butter and syrup, forest snow poured with a sweet tasty liquid, maple caramels cooked right there, right in front of people. And adults prefer more meat dishes, which are also prepared right on the spot - ham with cloves baked in maple syrup,beans with ham and brisket in sweet maple sauce and, of course, a country beer made with maple juice.
It is also interesting that, despite the development of technologies that make it possible to automate almost all processes in the food industry, the collection of juice and the preparation of maple syrup is still carried out exclusively by hand today. This gives it a special and inimitable taste, and the dishes prepared with its addition - a unique charm.
In many ways, the process of extracting maple sap is similar to obtaining birch sap. A special diagonal cut is made on the maple, into which a stainless steel gutter is inserted. The collected juice is sent to special "distillation" stations installed right in the forest. Here it is boiled over an open fire and evaporated to form the purest maple syrup. To get one liter of syrup, you need to evaporate about forty liters of maple sap! Of course, this greatly increases the cost of the final product. But what a joy watching the cooking process gives the locals!
But the processing and storage of this valuable product is entrusted to the most modern technologies. All businesses involved in the extraction of maple sap and syrup must comply with the strictest quality standards and regularly undergo government inspections.
Today, one of the most famous companies involved in the collection and processing of maple sap is the Quebec cooperative "Citadel", which unites about three thousand independent collectors of sap. The company was founded in 1925, and most of its members are hereditary juice pickers who inherited this occupation from their great-grandfathers and fathers. Thanks to this, the company supplies the market with products of the highest quality, which is a recognized leader.
Applying maple syrup
Maple syrup and products made from it (butter, sugar, jam) are widespread in many countries of the world. Chefs of expensive and prestigious restaurants in Canada, USA, Japan, France and other countries prepare the most exquisite dishes, an integral component of which is this product. These dishes are very popular, and many of them can be prepared at home. The syrup is served with pancakes, waffles, pancakes, ice cream. It is used as an ingredient in meat dishes, baked goods, desserts, sauces. Maple syrup is widely used in the bakery and confectionery industry as a natural alternative to sugar.
Maple syrup composition
Maple syrup is a completely natural product, no chemical components are used in its manufacture, it does not contain fillers or preservatives.
Maple syrup contains many minerals (calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc), B vitamins, including thiamine. It contains many antioxidants, and above all, polyphenols, which help a person prevent cardiovascular diseases, contribute to the rejuvenation of the body. Sugar in syrup is less than in honey, and fructose is practically not present, so it is useful for people who monitor their body weight. Even diabetics can use the syrup. And the phytohormones that are part of maple syrup (abscisic acid) are very useful for the normal functioning of the pancreas.
The calorie content of maple syrup is 261 kcal per 100 g of product.
The benefits of maple syrup
Scientists who have studied the benefits of maple syrup have been able to prove that sweets can also be beneficial. For example, researchers from the University of Rhode Island recently found 13 useful compounds for humans in it, in addition to the seven already found.
Scientists believe that maple syrup is beneficial in preventing diabetes, brain and breast cancer. Maple sap contains natural glucose, which is easily absorbed by the body as a fast carbohydrate. However, due to its glucose content, maple syrup is not recommended to be consumed in excessively high amounts.
The use of maple syrup has a healing effect on the body, since it is a natural immunostimulant, therefore it is useful to use it for atherosclerosis, to reduce the risk of diabetes, to enhance potency.
This tasty and sweet treat is part of the recommended healthy diet and is a great alternative to sugar, preserves and jams.
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