Difference Between Maple Syrup and Golden Syrup (With Table)

A syrup is perfect for elevating any food. They are added to pancakes, waffles, cookies, cakes, and pies. Maple syrup and Golden syrup are delicious, viscous syrups. They are a sweetener and condiment for flavor enhancement. They are derived from processing sugar into bright amber liquids with unique tastes, uses and characteristics. 

Maple Syrup vs Golden Syrup

The main difference between Maple and Golden Syrup is that Maple syrup has a lower concentration of sugar. It is produced from maple tree sap and is not processed or refined. On the other hand, Golden Syrup has higher sugar content. This sugar comes from refining sugar in manufacturing units from sugarcanes. 

Maple syrup is a natural sweetener. It looks like caramelized sugar and is produced all across northern America. It comes from maple tree sap. The collected tree sap is dense and flavorful in cooking and is known for its deeper caramel tones. It is a popular topping in breakfast foods like pancakes and waffles. 

Golden Syrup is a thick yellow liquid. It looks similar to honey but has a different processing method. It is typically a mixture of citric acid, sugar, and water mixed into a liquid perfect for sweetening food items. It comes from beet sugar or cane with the help of an acid component. 

Comparison Table Between Maple Syrup and Golden Syrup

Parameters of Comparison

Maple Syrup

Golden Syrup 

Other names 

Molasses, Maple honey, Palm syrup

Goldie, Light treacle. 

Shelf Life 

It can stay fresh for one to two years. It can last for many years when refrigerated. 

It can stay fresh three to six months after opening the jar. 

Storage 

A dark and cool place is an ideal storage place. 

It can last at room temperature in airtight containers. 

Alternatives 

Pancake syrup, sugar, and honey are popular alternatives for maple syrup.

Some popular alternatives are honey, agave syrup, brown rice syrup, and cane syrup. 

Color 

The maple syrup includes pale yellow to dark brown shades. 

The syrup has an amber shade. 

What is Maple Syrup?

Maple syrup is a unique syrup that may have different textures and tastes based on the type of the maple tree and the geographical locations of regions. Maple is produced in the spring season when the maple trees are tapped to collect the sap. 

The sap is cooked for a long duration to develop a deep, vibrant, and luscious syrup. It is filled with rich flavors and used in various dishes in sauces, glazes, and flavorings for intense natural sweetened flavor. 

Maple is considered a pancake syrup due to its appearance. Whereas, Pancake syrup is a corn syrup mixture with less than 3 percent maple syrup quantity. Genuine maple syrup is concentrated tree sap. The syrup is graded after collection and bifurcated into various types based on the colors. 

Maple syrup is used in various savory and sweet dishes. It is a dressing for vegetables and glazes for meats. It is a delicious condiment in dishes. It is also a primary component of the barbeque sauce, added for enhanced and complex sweetness. 

It is used in a taffy called Sugar on Snow, a kid staple in England and Canada. Maple syrup needs no preparation and is perfect for drizzling in desserts and stirring in salads and ice-creams. 

What is Golden Syrup?

Golden Syrup is a viscous and rich syrup. It is developed from inverted beet or cane sugar processed with acidic components like cream of tartar and lemon juice. Adding an acid component allows the syrup to stay smooth, easy to handle, and prevent crystalization. It has a color similar to honey.

Golden Syrup and honey are close substitutes for each other. The prime difference between Golden syrup and honey is the source. Golden syrup is a vegan product derived entirely from plants. Honey is a by-product of bees. They have a similar taste and are perfect in numerous sweet dishes. 

Golden syrup is used in various popular dishes. Some of the most popular uses include Treacle tarts, a sweetener in coffee and tea, and iced drinks. It is perfect as a drizzling on scones, pancakes, warm bread, fruit salads, granola, and waffles. 

It is easy to cook with Golden syrup. It can be homemade by adding water with sugar and acid. This mixture is mixed in a fixed proportion and cooked until the mixture boils down to turn in a golden color. Stir it well, simmer for 45 minutes and store it in a cool place. The mixture will thicken upon cooling.

Main Differences Between Maple Syrup and Golden Syrup 

  1. Maple syrup has fewer calories than golden syrup. Golden syrup has 15-25% more calories than maple syrup.
  2. Maple syrup is a rich source of zinc and manganese. On the other hand, Golden syrup is high in iron and calcium. 
  3. Maple syrup has a deep and strong flavor. Golden syrup has a mellower syrup with higher sweetness and caramelized flavor.
  4. The taste of maple syrup is dependent on the temperature fluctuations in the climate and the tree differences. Golden syrup is independent of weather conditions and created accordingly. 
  5. Maple syrup is produced perfectly at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and on chilly nights with temperatures below freezing. Golden syrup is produced at 240-250 degrees Fahrenheit on heat. 

Conclusion

Maple syrup and Golden syrup are popular accompaniments in a variety of dishes. The use of syrups has been popularized all across the world. They are ideal in experimenting with traditional and western cuisines. They are natural sweeteners and pose negligible harm to the body. It provides a variety of health benefits. 

Maple syrup and golden syrup are used as substitutes to create a plethora of delicacies like jams, jellies, candies, ice creams, sorbets, nutritional bars, cakes, chocolates, biscuits, and cookies. 

The natural richer flavor is hard to attain from processed alternatives. Thus, they are perfect when consumed under timely moderation. 

References 

  1. https://online.ucpress.edu/gastronomica/article-abstract/21/2/14/116790
  2. https://search.proquest.com/openview/bcd26df3ab294dbc4144ab27b8696762/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2029995