What is the Difference Between Maple Syrup and Golden Syrup

The main difference between maple syrup and golden syrup is that golden syrup contains a higher sugar content than maple syrup.

Maple syrup is a syrup produced by concentrating the sap of maple trees, while Golden syrup is a thick, rich amber-coloured syrup that is created as a byproduct of the inverting cane sugar or beet sugar process. While golden syrup has a sweeter taste, maple syrup has a richer and stronger taste.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Maple Syrup  
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Golden Syrup
     – Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Maple Syrup and Golden Syrup
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Golden Syrup, Maple Syrup

What is Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is a syrup produced by concentrating the sap of maple trees. Sugar maples, red maples, and black maples are the main varieties of maples used for maple syrup production. Maple trees are tapped in the early spring, and their sap is collected. Then, the collected sap is cooked into a rich and flavorful syrup. Maple syrup has a unique caramel taste with hints of woody vanilla. But the taste may vary with the variety of maple and region. We mainly use maple syrup as a topping for breakfast food like waffles and pancakes. It’s also possible to use it in various sweets, cook it into sauces, glazes, and use it in savoury dishes to add sweetness.

There are different grades of maple syrup, depending on the richness of its colour and when the sap was collected. Grade A Golden is the lightest maple syrup, and it is ideal for breakfast food, while Grade A Dark is the most flavorful maple syrup variety. Processing Grade refers to very dark maple syrup manufacturers use to create maple-flavoured products.

What is Golden Syrup

Golden syrup is a thick, rich amber/yellow-coloured syrup that looks like honey. But it tastes different to honey as the golden syrup has a unique buttery and caramel-like flavour. Golden syrup is actually a byproduct of inverting cane or beet sugar in water during their refining process. In fact, it’s basically a mixture of sugar, water, and a citric acid component like lemon juice or cream of tartar. This syrup doesn’t crystalize easily, so it remains smooth and is easy to work with.

Golden syrup is especially popular in Britain, as well as its former colonies. As a matter of fact, it was created in the UK and has been a staple sweetener in British cuisine over the years. People use it for baking, to sweeten pancakes and to make various sweets like treacle tarts, gingerbread, toffees, and British flapjacks. You can easily make golden syrup at home as it only has three basic ingredients; if not, you can buy it at a grocery store.

Difference Between Maple Syrup and Golden Syrup

Definition

Maple syrup is a syrup produced by concentrating the sap of maple trees, while Golden syrup is a thick, rich amber/yellow-coloured syrup that is created as a byproduct of the inverting cane or beet sugar process.

Taste

While golden syrup has a sweeter taste, maple syrup has a richer and stronger taste.

Sugar Content

The golden syrup contains a higher sugar content than maple syrup.

Nutritional Content

Maple syrup has more manganese and zinc and has a lower glycemic index, while golden syrup has more calories, calcium, and iron.

Conclusion

The main difference between maple syrup and golden syrup is that golden syrup contains a higher sugar content than maple syrup. Therefore, golden syrup is sweeter than maple syrup, but maple syrup has a stronger and richer flavour.

Reference:

1. Covington, Linnea. “What Is Golden Syrup?” The Spruce Eats, 27 July 2021.
2. Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. “What You Wanted to Know about Maple Syrup.” The Spruce Eats, 24 July 2020.
3. “This Is Why the Brits Love Golden Syrup so Much-and Why You Will, Too!” Martha Stewart, 6 May 2021.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Maple syrup” By Ian Mackenzie via (CC BY 2.0) Flickr
2. “Sweet Honey Organic Teaspoon Golden Syrup Pouring” (CC0) via Max Pixel