Karen AKA Kajikit wrote:
> On 1 Mar 2005 10:52:41 -0800, "aem" > wrote:
>
>
>>Karen AKA Kajikit wrote:
>>
>>>I bought a bottle of 'real' maple syrup in the supermarket. It wasn't
>>>the cheapest and it wasn't the most expensive... but it was very
>>>runny and thin tasting, and very disappointing. [snip]
>>
>>Don't know about brands, but I recommend you look for two things when
>>shopping for maple syrup. It should say "100% Pure," and it should say
>>"U.S. Grade B." The grading system has to do with color, and "A" is
>>lighter than "B." It's a matter of personal taste, of course, but we
>>think Grade B has a richer taste.
>
>
> Ah... I thought 'a grade' meant it must be the best... this bottle was
> from 'Maple Farms' and it says it's 100% pure A grade dark amber
> syrup. Like I said, it doesn't taste very maply to me...
> ~Karen aka Kajikit
> Crafts, cats, and chocolate - the three essentials of life
> http://www.kajikitscorner.com
> *remove 'nospam' to reply

The grading has no bearing on the best or worst maple syrup. Here's a
URL that gives some explanation of grading:

http://www.vermontmaple.org/mgrade.htm

I, too, prefer grade B (...that's what I grew up with: both my parents
came from Vermont...). I now live in central Texas and I buy my maple
syrup by the ounce through stores that sell it in bulk (such as Whole
Foods or Central Market). Much of the maple syrup in glass containers
in the stores is watery junk. I don't know how easy it will be for you
to find grade B syrup in a regular store.

Jim Lahue