Politics
& Government The State of
Things
Sugaring Special: A Maple
Page
Maple Syrup, Made in Vermont . Maple
Syrup: Made in Vermont
The
Maple Industry Isn't Bad for the Vermont Economy Either It's
not that there aren't lots of things going on in Montpelier that need
attention. But the fact is, support for Vermont's farms is one of
them. And in that light, some attention to the politics and
economics of sugaring isn't at all out of line. So ... Below,
you'll find a few things of interest to put the maple syrup industry in
perspective. As we note more fully in this month's Working
Together, there's little doubt that the sugaring operations in Vermont
not only add to the State's revenues, but, possibly more when it comes to
positive cash flow, it helps to sustain an sense of quality control and
image that makes the 'made in Vermont' pitch so successful for products
that go well beyond maple syrup and related products.
{Unfortunately, it is probably true to say that many other such products
show a much greater profitability than the products derived from the
farming operations, like dairy and sugaring, which help to sell them
beyond our borders.} In any case, what follows is some
general information on sugaring in the State, including: Production 
| | Source:
DownStreet Magazine, from stats of the NEASS | Northeast
Maple Syrup Production 1994-2000* (Thousands
of Gallons) | State | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | | Vermont | 435 | 365 | 550 | 395 | 360 | 370 | 460 | | New
York | 251 | 208 | 343 | 269 | 231 | 195 | 210 | | Maine | 150 | 162 | 167 | 185 | 170 | 195 | 250 | | New
Hampshire | 73 | 64 | 89 | 76 | 67 | 61 | 75 | | Massachusetts | 40 | 29 | 49 | 44 | 47 | 44 | 39 | | Connecticut | 11 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 7 | | *Source:
New England Agricultural Statistics Service |
.. Grades
& Standards ...
State of Vermont Grades and Standards for Maple
Syrup
from
the Vermont
Maple Sugar Makers Association Needless to say, assuring
the quality of syrup is a primary consideration for production and
marketing. What follows are the guidelines for grades &
standards for Vermont maple syrup. *******
******* The following grades are hereby established as
the official maple syrup grade standards for the state of Vermont: More
Maple Facts | | + Vermont is the largest
producer of maple syrup in the United States, producing about 37
percent of the total U.S. crop in 2000. ... + There are an
estimated 2,000 maple producers in the state. + In
2000, Vermont maple producers made an estimated 460,000 gallons of
maple syrup, with a value of roughly $13,340,000. +
Vermont's law requires syrup to be free from any preservatives or
other additives. | | SOURCES:
Vermont Maple Promotion Board; Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Assoc. |
"Fancy
Grade" means pure maple
syrup which is free of any material other than pure, clear, clean liquid
maple syrup in sanitary condition; which has a color no darker than the
United States Department of Agriculture's visual color standard light
amber, and has a color for light transmittance not less than 75.0%Tc;
which has a delicately sweet, original maple flavor characteristic of
fancy grade; and which has a density ranging from the equivalent of 36
degrees Baume (66.9 degrees Brix) at 60 degrees Fahrenheit Modulus 145.
Fancy Grade maple syrup shall be free of sugar crystals and shall not be
damaged in any way. . "Grade
A Medium Amber" means pure maple syrup which is free
of any material other than pure, clear, clean liquid maple syrup in
sanitary condition; which has a color no darker than the U.S. Department
of Agriculture visual standard, medium amber, and has a color for light
transmittance between the range of 74.9%Tc to 60.5%Tc; it may have a
flavor which is more pronounced than that of Fancy Grade, but which is not
strong or unpleasant and must be of the flavor characteristic of Grade A
Medium Amber. Grade A Medium Amber maple syrup shall be free of sugar
crystals and shall not be damaged in any way. . "Grade
A Dark Amber" means pure maple syrup which is free of
any material other than pure, clear, clean liquid maple syrup in sanitary
condition; which has a color no darker than the United States Department
of Agriculture visual standard dark amber, and has a color for light
transmittance between the range of 60.4%Tc to 44.0%Tc; it may have a
flavor which is stronger than that of Grade A Medium Amber, but which is
not sharp, bitter, buddy or off-flavor and must be of the flavor
characteristic of Grade A Dark Amber. Grade A Dark Amber must meet the
density requirement of "Fancy Grade". Grade A Dark Amber maple
syrup shall be free of sugar crystals and shall not be damaged in any way. . "Grade
B" means pure maple syrup which is free of any
material other than pure, clean, clear liquid maple syrup in sanitary
condition; which has a color for light transmittance between the range of
43.9%Tc to 27.0%Tc. (The United States Department of Agriculture does not
have an approved visual glass comparetor which compares to the light
transmittance of this grade. Thus, for reference purposes only, a glass
comparetor that is equivalent to the light transmittance of 27.0%Tc, and
which may be used, is that for "Canadian No. 2 (amber)" as said
comparetors were on June 9, 1989); Grade B shall meet the density
requirements of Fancy Grade. Grade B may have a flavor stronger than Grade
A Dark Amber, but shall not be damaged in any way and Grade B shall be
free of sugar crystals. Source: Vermont
Maple Sugar Maker's Association .. *******
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