now that is bulk Maple Syrup

[sdifox]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2012/12/18/quebec-theft-maple-syrup-court.html

An investigation into a massive maple syrup theft from a Quebec warehouse last summer has led to the arrest of three people, who are due to face charges in court today.

Between August 2011 and July 2012, thieves got away with 9,600 barrels of maple syrup worth approximately $18 million from a warehouse in Saint-Louis-de-Blandford, about 95 kilometres southwest of Quebec City.

Richard Vallières, 34, of Loretteville and Avik Caron, 39, of Saint-Wenceslas, along with a third person arrested without a warrant face charges of theft, conspiracy, handling stolen goods and fraud.

Authorities said they are still looking for five other people in connection with the theft.

Last summer, it was believed about $30 million worth of syrup was stolen. Simon Trépanier, interim director of the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, said they noticed fewer barrels missing after verification.

Authorities obtained search warrants in Quebec, New Brunswick, Ontario and in the United States.

Sgt. Claude Denis, spokesman for the Quebec provincial police, would not say how thieves managed to get away with the large amount of maple syrup.

"During the investigation, police officers met approximately 300 people working in the production and sale of maple syrup and transportation," said Denis.

Officials said they were able to retrieve two-thirds of the stolen syrup. They also seized electronic scales, elevator platforms and kettles that are used in the production of maple syrup.

In October, authorities seized approximately 1,000 barrels of maple syrup from S.K. Export Inc in Kedgwick, N.B.

Étienne St-Pierre, the owner of the export business, said the syrup came from his regular providers in Quebec and not from the warehouse in Saint-Louis-de-Blandford.

At the time, the business's general manager, Julienne Bossé-Desrosiers, told Radio-Canada she had documents to prove the company bought its syrup directly from producers.

The warehouse stored about 3.4 million litres of bulk maple syrup, which belonged to the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers.

The federation represents the province's 7,500 producers and administers a bulk sale system with quotas on individual operation.

 

[SunnyD]

They've sure gotten themselves into a sticky situation, haven't they?

 

[Tobolo]

They've sure gotten themselves into a sticky situation, haven't they?

Wait a minute... I see what you did there...

 

[Red Storm]

*Waiting for news on bulk waffle mix theft*

 

[BladeVenom]

We can all rest easy now.

 

[SandEagle]

i've never in all my years ever had real maple syrup before. i had tons of pancakes growing up. even now, i am still accustomed to using Log Cabin syrup or Aunt Jemima. is real maple syrup that much better and worth 4x the price?

 

[techs]

FYI this was from the Canadians "Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve".
They may have only one tank, but they are prepared for the next maple syrup war.

 

[sdifox]

i've never in all my years ever had real maple syrup before. i had tons of pancakes growing up. even now, i am still accustomed to using Log Cabin syrup or Aunt Jemima. is real maple syrup that much better and worth 4x the price?

I am not a big fan of maple syrup, but it is waaay better than the other stuff. Maple syrup is not all that expensive anyway.

http://www.amazon.com/Andersons-Mapl...ds=maple+syrup

 

[GWestphal]

I like real syrup because it is a natural product instead of corn syrup and flavoring. It's not thick or buttery, but it is more smoky, maple-y to me. It's pretty cheap at a co-op and you can buy as much as you want.

 

[techs]

i've never in all my years ever had real maple syrup before. i had tons of pancakes growing up. even now, i am still accustomed to using Log Cabin syrup or Aunt Jemima. is real maple syrup that much better and worth 4x the price?

I like real syrup because it is a natural product instead of corn syrup and flavoring. It's not thick or buttery, but it is more smoky, maple-y to me. It's pretty cheap at a co-op and you can buy as much as you want.

People who grew up on the artificial stuff are very disappointed, usually, when they first try real maple syrup. I think that's because they buy the Grade A Light. That type is very watery compared to the fake stuff.

Try a dark amber maple syrup. Its cheaper and has far more flavor and is far thicker. Here in Vermont we sell the light stuff the to noobs on vacation.

I strongly suggest the Robb Family Farms dark Amber. You can get it here:
http://piecesofvermont.com/vermont-maple-syrup.html
http://piecesofvermont.com/robb-farm.html
btw they don't even sell the light stuff on their website

My personal favorite is the Grade B dark. Its very thick and rich and has lots of intense maple flavor.
http://piecesofvermont.com/gradeb.html

 

[techs]

I am not a big fan of maple syrup, but it is waaay better thanthe other stuff. Maple syrup is not all that expensive anyway.

http://www.amazon.com/Andersons-Mapl...ds=maple+syrup

I'd be hesitant in buying some cheap stuff on Amazon. Maple Syrup is like wine in that different makers can have a huge difference. I'd say buy from a reputable seller with a good reputation. Like my link above.
It make a real difference and Maple Syrup goes a long way so a few extra bucks is not a deal breaker.

 

[sdifox]

I'd be hesitant in buying some cheap stuff on Amazon. Maple Syrup is like wine in that different makers can have a huge difference. I'd say buy from a reputable seller with a good reputation. Like my link above.
It make a real difference and Maple Syrup goes a long way so a few extra bucks is not a deal breaker.

Just a random example.

 

[EagleKeeper]

i've never in all my years ever had real maple syrup before. i had tons of pancakes growing up. even now, i am still accustomed to using Log Cabin syrup or Aunt Jemima. is real maple syrup that much better and worth 4x the price?

Yes.

You can use drops instead of pouring.

One way of testing yourself is to go to a restaurant that has the real stuff.
I think Cracker Barrel does.

Put it on a pancake or waffle and you will understand.
You can also purchase from farm stands cheaper than the grocery store

Off the internet only if the location is in the Maple producing ares of the country.

 

[BladeVenom]

Get grade B, it has the strongest maple flavor. Trader Joe's has it.

 

[SunnyD]

People who grew up on the artificial stuff are very disappointed, usually, when they first try real maple syrup. I think that's because they buy the Grade A Light. That type is very watery compared to the fake stuff.

Try a dark amber maple syrup. Its cheaper and has far more flavor and is far thicker. Here in Vermont we sell the light stuff the to noobs on vacation.

I strongly suggest the Robb Family Farms dark Amber. You can get it here:
http://piecesofvermont.com/vermont-maple-syrup.html
http://piecesofvermont.com/robb-farm.html
btw they don't even sell the light stuff on their website

My personal favorite is the Grade B dark. Its very thick and rich and has lots of intense maple flavor.
http://piecesofvermont.com/gradeb.html

This. You haven't had REAL maple syrup unless you've sucked off a maple tree.

:sneaky:

What?

 

[Iron Woode]

I prefer No.2 Amber myself.

Canada grades maple syrup differently than the US.

 

[AmdEmAll]

i've never in all my years ever had real maple syrup before. i had tons of pancakes growing up. even now, i am still accustomed to using Log Cabin syrup or Aunt Jemima. is real maple syrup that much better and worth 4x the price?

YES

 

[Jeff7]

They've sure gotten themselves into a sticky situation, haven't they?

I wonder if the police tapped their wires?

 

[Anubis]

Grade B > all

seriously try it, its shits all over Grade A

i bet it even sleeps with Grade A's mom and doesn't call her back

 

[techs]

Get grade B, it has the strongest maple flavor. Trader Joe's has it.

I prefer No.2 Amber myself.

Canada grades maple syrup differently than the US.

Grade B > all

seriously try it, its shits all over Grade A

i bet it even sleeps with Grade A's mom and doesn't call her back

Finally the word is getting out. I'm tired of all the noobs buying the extra light crap then complaining.

Darker is better when it comes to Maple Syrup.

FYI- Often times the cheap stuff is made from syrup harvested after the first spring buds. It gives the syrup an off flavor but uncaring or unscrupulous sellers will dilute with just enough of the good stuff to make it "acceptable" but its really not.

 

[Kreon]

Another vote for Grade B. Grade A is called that to make the tourists think its the better stuff. Poor fools...

Bigger lesson here: Always ask a local (or someone in the industry) what kind of something to buy. Especially when traveling.

 

[techs]

Another vote for Grade B. Grade A is called that to make the tourists think its the better stuff. Poor fools...

Bigger lesson here: Always ask a local (or someone in the industry) what kind of something to buy. Especially when traveling.

Or you can buy from the Robb Family Farm. I personally vouch for them.
http://piecesofvermont.com/robb-farm.html

 

[Kreon]

Or you can buy from the Robb Family Farm. I personally vouch for them.
http://piecesofvermont.com/robb-farm.html

Yes, I've been to their sugarhouse actually. Good stuff. IIRC they stopped doing dairy recently too (since dairy farmers have had quite a tough time lately). I assume you are (or were) local? Maybe know a local? It's one of those places you don't really find by looking for maple syrup on Amazon.

Here is a guide on the American grades, if people are interested:
http://www.amberridgemaple.com/maple-syrup-grades.html

 

[techs]

Yes, I've been to their sugarhouse actually. Good stuff. IIRC they stopped doing dairy recently too (since dairy farmers have had quite a tough time lately). I assume you are (or were) local? Maybe know a local? It's one of those places you don't really find by looking for maple syrup on Amazon.

Here is a guide on the American grades, if people are interested:
http://www.amberridgemaple.com/maple-syrup-grades.html

Yeah, I live about 3 miles from the Robbs. Every so often she throws me a tin when I fix her computers. They're just outside Brattleboro, Vermont

 

[destrekor]

I grew up on the fake syrups, tried real syrup once and was enthralled at first taste.

I don't voluntarily use the fake stuff anymore, but I can stomach it fine enough.


As for syrup grading:
I'm pretty sure I've only ever bought Grade A (Kroger's Private Selection label). I absolutely cannot remember the specific, it was either Dark Amber, or... looking online, possibly Medium Amber.

I thought it was tasty, but that was/is the only pure maple syrup I have ever had iirc. Leagues, leaps, bounding jumps, miles, etc.. ahead of all that HFCS-laden artificially-flavored junk.

And yep, while it's wonderful to drown pancakes/waffles in the glorious syrup, with the real stuff, you can use less and still have it taste wonderful.



Back to this grading concept:

What, specifically, makes a lot Grade B versus Grade A? What's the difference in the Amber rating? How do these differences impact flavor?
Why is everyone saying the lesser grade is tastier?!

So am I to believe I need to find me some Grade B Dark Amber?

Oh, and real maple syrup is also the sugar devil: I try to limit sugar intake, but it is basically impossible to turn down real maple syrup. Though I do like, or at least don't mind, mixing the real syrup with some sugar-free fake syrup (is that double-fake?!). I would prefer not losing any of the real maple flavor or the real sugar, but it's not half bad once you get over the fact you've stooped to heathenism at the first meal o' the day.