10 Facts You Didn’t Know, About Maple Syrup.<br />In honor of National Maple Syrup Day on Dec. 17, <br />here are ten facts you may not have known.<br />1. , Canada produces 80 percent <br />of the world’s maple syrup supply.<br />2. , In Canada, syrup is broken down into four<br />hue-related categories: extra light (AA), light (A),<br />medium (B), #2 amber (C) and #3 dark (d).<br />3. , The United States' system of syrup categories consists<br />only of a lighter grade a syrup and a darker grade b syrup. .<br />4. , There’s an organization dedicated to maple syrup called the<br />International Maple Syrup Institute. It was founded in 1975.<br />5. , Commercial brand syrups are created with<br />inexpensive ingredients such as high fructose corn<br />syrup, cellulose gum and caramel coloring.<br />6. , Roughly 40 gallons of sap are required<br />to make 1 gallon of real maple syrup. .<br />7. , Most syrup-yielding trees only<br />supply 5 to 15 gallons of sap per season.<br />8. , In Hadong, Korea, locals have commonly been known<br />to consume over five gallons of maple sap in one sitting.<br />9. , Rather than use the traditional taps<br />and buckets method, most North American<br />operations use a system of tubing and vacuums. .<br />10. , Alfred University, located in western New York,<br />offers an official maple production course.
