Buckwud Organic Intense Canadian Maple Syrup emerged as the clear winner in a taste test of five supermarket syrups, impressing with a rich, caramel-like flavour that was delicious both on its own and over pancakes.
The test, carried out by Millie Bull, Deputy Editor of Spare Time, compared own-brand syrups from Sainsbury's, Aldi, and Co-op with branded varieties from Buckwud and Maple Crest. Each syrup was judged on flavour, price, and packaging, with tasting done straight from the bottle using a small spoonful.
How to Tell Real Maple Syrup
Real maple syrup contains only one ingredient: 100% pure maple syrup or maple sap. Any additional ingredients, like corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, water, or carob syrup, indicate an imitation product. Some bottles are labelled 'maple-flavoured syrup', meaning they contain maple flavouring rather than real maple syrup, while others may be blended with carob syrup to lower the cost.
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Grade A maple syrup must contain no more than 68.9% solids by weight, have a uniform colour, a pleasant maple flavour and aroma, and be free from off-flavours, odours, cloudiness, or sediment. Damaged syrup is not permitted in this grade. Within Grade A, there are four colour grades: Golden, Amber, Dark, and Very Dark, as defined by Maple From Canada.
The Test Results
Buckwud Organic Intense Canadian Maple Syrup, priced at £6.20 for 250g (£2.48 per 100g) at Sainsbury's, was the only dark maple syrup tested. Its flavour was outstanding, more intense and less sugary than the amber syrups, and it won a 3-star award at the Great Taste Awards in 2022. The packaging was also praised for its easy-to-use cap and traditional bottle design. It scored 5/5.
Aldi Specially Selected 100% Pure Canadian Maple Syrup, at £3.99 for 330g (£1.60 per 100ml), was both the largest and the cheapest of the five, offering the best value for money. It has a pleasant maple flavour with a hint of caramel and isn't overwhelmingly sweet. It scored 4/5.
Maple Crest Maple Syrup, £4 for 250g (£1.60 per 100g) at Sainsbury's, was similar to Buckwud's but slightly less intense. According to the Sainsbury's website, it is "expertly harvested late in the season," suggesting it could be dark. It lacked caramel notes and was marked down for its screw-top cap, scoring 3.5/5.
Sainsbury's Canadian Maple Syrup, Taste the Difference, £5.20 for 250g (£2.08 per 100g), has a lovely aroma and delivers a delicious maple flavour without being overly sweet. It scored 3/5. Co-op Pure Canadian Maple Syrup, £5.25 for 250g (£2.10 per 100g), was the least favourite, with a flavour more reminiscent of sugar syrup. It scored 2.5/5.
The Verdict
Buckwud Organic Intense Canadian Maple Syrup had the best flavour of the five, especially for those who enjoy a rich, caramel taste with a pronounced maple note. Aldi's Maple Syrup was the best among the supermarket own-brands and offers the best value for money.
