What are the different grades of maple syrup?

by Cookthink

The United States Department of Agriculture regulates pure maple syrup with four grades. They are: Grade A Light Amber: A very light syrup with a mild, delicate maple flavor, this is usually made early in the season when the weather is cold. This is the best grade for making maple candy and maple cream. Grade A Medium Amber: A darker, mid-season syrup, this is often used as a table syrup. This syrup has a deeper maple flavor.   Grade A Dark Amber: A strong flavored syrup that's made from sap harvested late in the season when there's more sunlight and longer stretches of warm temperatures. Grade B: Very dark with a forceful maple, caramel-y flavor, this is a common cooking syrup. Die-hards also use it as a pancake syrup. Recipe: Soy-Maple Vinaigrette (Cookthink) Recipe: Maple And Apricot-Glazed Meatloaf (Karina's Kitchen) Reference: What is a sugarhouse? (Cookthink) Reference: Root Source: Maple Syrup (Cookthink)