Maple syrup

Maple syrup – the thickened juice received by way of evaporation of juice of listopadny trees from family of the Soapberry family: sugar maple, red maple and black maple. These types of maples in North America grow and reach in height of thirty meters, and in the diameter of one meter.

Maple syrup represents translucent or transparent dense, fragrant, viscous liquid which on a consistence can be compared to amber honey. At different stages of evaporation of syrup from it receive sugar, oil and maple honey.

History

Extraction of maple juice in Canada where the sugar maple grows in the woods everywhere is most developed. He even became a national symbol: the image of a maple leaf can be observed on national flag of the country. The main producer of syrup is Quebec.

Present residents of Quebec got tradition of collecting maple juice from Indians who noticed already many years wonderful advantage of maple syrup ago and for several generations developed recipes of its production.

The set of traditions is connected with collecting maple juice. So, for example, from the beginning of a season of collecting residents of local villages organize the Farewell to winter. This holiday "Kaban-a-syukr" is called, and in translation from French "The sugar izba" means. In close proximity to places of collecting maple juice inhabitants equip temporary lodges and little tables for guests, install the equipment for preparation of various sweets with juice use. This holiday is very esteemed by locals. Children adore eating delicacies with maple syrup: fritters with country oil and syrup, the forest snow watered with sweet tasty liquid, the maple caramels made right there, directly in the face of people. And adults prefer more meat dishes which prepare directly on site too – the ham with a carnation baked in maple syrup, haricot with ham and breast cut in sweet maple sauce and, of course, the rural beer prepared on the basis of maple juice.

Interestingly and the fact that, despite development of the technologies allowing to automate practically all processes in the food industry collecting juice and preparation of maple syrup is carried out exclusively manually also today. It impacts it special and unique relish, and to the dishes prepared with its addition – unique charm.

In many respects process of extraction of maple juice is similar to receiving birch sap. On a maple do a special diagonal cut into which insert a trench from stainless steel. Collected juice belongs on the special "distillation" stations established directly in the wood. Here it is boiled on naked flame, evaporating therefore the purest maple syrup is formed. To receive one liter of syrup, it is necessary to evaporate about forty liters of maple juice! Of course, it substantially raises the price of an end product. But, what joy is given to locals by preparation process observation!

And here processing and storage of this valuable product trusts in the most modern technologies. All enterprises which are engaged in extraction of maple juice and receiving syrup have to meet the most strict standards of quality and regularly undergo the state testing.

Today one of the most known companies which is engaged in assembly and processing of maple juice is the Quebec cooperative "Tsitadel" which combines about three thousand independent collectors of juice. The company in 1925 was founded, and most of her members are the hereditary collectors of juice who inherited this occupation from the great-grandfathers and fathers. Thanks to it the company delivers best quality products which are the recognized leader on the market.

Use of maple syrup

The maple syrup and products produced from it (oil, sugar, jam) gained distribution in many countries of the world. Chefs of expensive and prestigious restaurants of Canada, the USA, Japan, France and other countries prepare the most refined dishes which integral component is this product. These dishes are very popular, and many of them can be prepared also in house conditions. Syrup is given to pancakes, wafers, fritters, ice cream. As ingredient use in meat dishes, pastries, desserts, sauces. Use of maple syrup was widely adopted in the baking and confectionery industry as a natural alternative to sugar.

Composition of maple syrup

Maple syrup – a product completely natural, at its production no chemical components are used, it does not contain fillers and preservatives.

As a part of maple syrup there is a set of minerals (calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc), group B vitamins including thiamin. At it there is a set of antioxidants, and first of all, polyphenols which help the person to prevent cardiovascular diseases promote rejuvenescence of an organism. The Sahara in syrup is less, than in honey, and fructose is practically not present therefore it is useful to the people watching the body weight. Diabetics can use syrup even. And the phytohormones which are a part of maple syrup (abstsizovy acid) are very useful to normal work of a pancreas.

Caloric content of maple syrup makes 261 kcal on 100 g of a product.

Advantage of maple syrup

The scientists investigating advantage of maple syrup managed to prove that sweet can be useful too. So, for example, recently researchers from university in Rhode Island found in it 13 connections, useful to the person, in addition to seven already found.

Scientists consider that the advantage of maple syrup consists in prevention of development of diabetes, cancer of a brain and mammary gland. And juice of a maple contains natural glucose which is easily acquired by an organism as bystry carbohydrate. Nevertheless, because of the content of glucose maple syrup is not recommended to be used in excessively high quantities.

Use of maple syrup has on an organism curative effect as is a natural immunostimulator therefore it is useful to use it at atherosclerosis, for decrease in risk of a disease of a diabetes mellitus, for strengthening of a potentiality.

This tasty and sweet delicacy is a part of the products recommended for healthy food and is a fine alternative to sugar, jam and jams.