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Grading Maple Syrup

maple syrup grade setThe USDA syrup grading system uses five different maple grades. Contrary to popular belief, maple syrup grades do not indicate a difference in quality or purity. Individual preference for a particular grade of maple syrup is similar to that of the wine consumer; some people prefer reds, some whites, some blush and so on. These maple syrup grades have upper and lower limits for color and flavor. As a rule, the darker the color, the stronger the flavor.

maple syrup grade chartThe five USDA grades include three Grade A's (Light Amber Maple, Medium Amber Maple, Dark Amber Maple) and two darker syrups, Grade B Maple and a Commercial Maple Grade. To match consumer’s discriminating tastes more closely, we add our Coombs Family Farms standards to the USDA standards and make them even tougher. Within each grade, we categorize seven flavor gradients. Our "seven-tiered" grading standard is stringent and steadfast. It segregates the maple syrup by flavor profile for added quality assurance and consumer satisfaction.
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