Maple syrup or honey? The advantages and disadvantages.

Maple syrup and honey are both natural and healthier options than refined industrial sugar. While honey is produced by bees, maple syrup comes from the transformation of tree sap. Below, we discuss their pros and cons.

Bees produce the Honey in their hive. In nature, they depend on it to survive winter or periods of drought. After extracting the liquid nectar from flowers, they store it in their second stomach. The enzymes present in this stomach pouch change the structure and shelf life of the honey. On their way back to the hive, the bees pass the honey around by regurgitating it, until it finally reaches the alveolus.

To get the maple syrup, the sap is transformed by heating it. The trees are tapped at a specific time of year. The sap is collected and transported to a processing plant. There, it is heated to 104°C to cause the water to evaporate and transform it into syrup. The liquid condenses, thickens and takes on a color. It takes about thirty to forty liters of sap to produce one liter of maple syrup. There are three types of maple syrup: golden, amber and dark. Dark maple syrup is harvested at the end of the season.

Maple syrup contains fat, unlike honey. Honey is higher in calories. Per tablespoon, honey has 64 calories compared to 52 calories in maple syrup. Honey also has more carbohydrates and protein.

Honey has more vitamins B3, B5, B6, C and folate, but maple syrup is more concentrated in vitamins B1 and B2. In terms of minerals, honey is rich in copper, phosphorus, iron and sodium. In comparison, maple syrup contains more calcium, magnesium, potassium and zinc.

Both contain antioxidants. Honey protects against oxidative stress while maple syrup helps fight the harmful effects of free radicals. However, it should be noted that the amber version seems to contain the most antioxidant agents.

Like all sugars, both can lead to the development of certain diseases, such as hypertension or certain heart conditions. They should therefore be consumed in moderation. However, it should be noted that the glycemic index of maple syrup is 54, slightly lower than that of honey, which is 61. The consumption of honey by people suffering from diabetes should be monitored. This does not mean, however, that maple syrup has no glycemic impact because it is still a sugar.

Maple syrup is suitable for the vegan lifestyle, unlike honey which is an animal by-product. The latter has the advantage of not having an expiration date, because it is rot-proof. It can change consistency and crystallize, but does not expire.

While maple syrup will keep for years if unopened, it should be refrigerated and consumed within 12 months of opening. Because it is denser and contains water, it is more susceptible to mold growth.

What is the healthier alternative? Maple syrup and honey each have their own pros and cons. They are both rich in different minerals and vitamins, but both contain antioxidants.

Maple syrup is preferable for people with diabetes, but it remains a sweetening product to be consumed sparingly. For people without diabetes, the choice between honey and maple syrup is really a matter of preference. Honey has the advantage of having a more or less intense taste depending on the flower it comes from. For example, acacia honey is very sweet and light in color. On the other hand, chestnut honey is dark and very strong in the mouth. Between the two, all-flower honey or spring honey are moderate in taste, with a floral accent.

Our site offers you canned maple syrups from the brand La petite cabane à sucre de Québec. They do not contain added sugars, artificial colors or flavors. In terms of allergens, they are gluten-free, dairy-free and nut- and peanut-free.

The 540 ml canned amber version is available to the unit or in pack of 5 cans. It also comes in a metal can of 250 ml, 500 ml And 1L. Golden maple syrup is also available individually in 540ml and in packs of 5 cans.

For the big gourmands or to offer, opt for the maple syrup in a 540 ml can in a pack of 10, with 5 amber and 5 golden cans. In a jug, the brand's amber maple syrup is available in 100 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, 1L and 2L.

Also discover the amber maple syrup in a leaf bottle in 50 ml, 100 ml, 250 ml and 500 ml - both delicious and decorative. It is available in a glass bottle with handle of 189 ml, 250 ml and 500 ml.

To offer or discover maple products, opt for a discovery box pack in normal or medium size. La petite cabane à sucre also offers golden maple syrup in 540 ml cans individually or in packs of 5, and dark maple syrup in 540 ml cans.

Fancy something finer? The Nokomis brand's amber maple syrup from Bois origine will seduce you with its woody oak taste. It is available in a 750 ml glass bottle.

To combine two iconic Canadian products in one, try Nutri Fruit’s cranberry maple syrup. For kids, you can choose Isens’ strawberry maple syrup.

All of these products are especially delicious when paired with waffles, French toast, or the best of the best: pancakes. To help you prepare this little snack, why not try a pancake mix from Canada's Finest?