Often when buying maple syrup, customers often shop out of convenience and choose the first item that matches their list. When it comes to maple syrup, this story is no different. Costco regularly stocks its shelves with its Costco Kirkland Signature Maple Syrup. How does Costco maple syrup stack up in the world of maple syrup? Are buyers getting their money's worth?
Costco maple syrup details
All Costco maple syrup comes in a 33.8 fl oz plastic container and sells for $14.99 online. The jug features a flip cap for pouring, and the maple syrup is organic and gluten-free.
Having organic, pure maple syrup is always a plus. Pure maple syrup lacks artificial ingredients, sweeteners and preservatives. However, customers will find themselves limited to only Grade A amber maple syrup. This is unfortunate because it limits customers from experiencing other grades of maple syrup, like golden, light and dark.
Costco’s Kirkland Signature use of a plastic container for its syrup could also present problems for consumers. Usually, after being opened, maple syrup tends to spoil faster in plastic containers. This is because plastic is permeable and can allow oxygen to seep into maple syrup, causing it to oxidize and spoil.
Where does Costco get its maple syrup?
Costco maple syrup comes from Canada and is produced from Canadian trees. However, it is actually the combined effort of multiple companies and farms that source Costco's produts.
We know that Kirkland Signature 100% Pure Maple Syrup is tapped from maple trees in Quebec between mid-March to mid-April (1), but Costco does not publicize which farms produce their maple syrup.
It’s unfortunate that Costco does not list the farms that produce their products. Transparency is important in any food-based industry, and the maple syrup industry is no different. Buying locally and from farms that produce their own products is always a good way to ensure you are buying quality maple syrup.
What does Costco maple syrup taste like?
Costco maple syrup has a nostalgic flavor. Their Grade A amber syrup has a rich flavor and is amber, as the name suggests. Amber syrup has a noticeable maple taste yet still maintains a mild-intensity flavor. The syrup also has hints of vanilla and caramel and is not overly dark and bold.
Concluding thoughts
Overall, Costco’s presents an affordable option for grocery buyers needing to replenish the household jug. Taste-wise, their Grade A amber syrup is just as advertised, with a mild maple flavor. However, it should be noted that there is not much variety in the Costco lineup. Costco only sells Grade A amber syrup. Buyers looking for a light or robust taste will not find Grade A golden or dark at a Costco.
Costco maple syrup also has maple syrup as its sole ingredient – making it 100% organic. However, Costco does not disclose the farms it sources its maple syrup from, which could be an issue for buyers desiring transparency.
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Vermont Maple Syrup makes the best organic Vermont maple syrup, maple sugar, and maple candy you will taste. In classy, nostalgic packaging that puts Vermont first. Organic, pure small-batch maple syrup and maple sugar — tapped, collected, and made available from our 1,200-acre farm in the small town of Guilford, Vermont, USA.
FAQs
Taste-wise, their Grade A amber syrup is just as advertised, with a mild maple flavor. However, it should be noted that there is not much variety in the Costco lineup. Costco only sells Grade A amber syrup. Buyers looking for a light or robust taste will not find Grade A golden or dark at a Costco.
Is Vermont the best maple syrup? ›
When it comes to maple syrup, no place in the world quite compares to Vermont. Known as the Green Mountain State, Vermont is celebrated for its pristine landscapes, rich traditions, and of course, its world-famous maple syrup.
Does Costco maple syrup go bad? ›
Does Maple Syrup Go Bad? As it turns out, maple syrup does have a shelf life once opened, and mold is not as uncommon as we thought. StillTasty.com indicates that 100 percent pure maple syrup should keep for a year unopened in the pantry, a year opened in the refrigerator, and indefinitely in the freezer.
Where is the best maple syrup from in the US? ›
Vermont is a leading producer of maple syrup, and the Ackermann Maple Farm does the state proud with its pure maple syrup. The maple syrup, which is boiled using a natural wood fire, comes from over 6,400 trees on a family farm in Cabot, Vermont.
Do you refrigerate Costco maple syrup after opening? ›
To store maple syrup properly, refrigerate or freeze it after opening. To maintain the color and flavor of maple syrup, always store it in glass containers, never plastic - even if unopened!
How can you tell if maple syrup is high quality? ›
According to the USDA, U.S. Grade A is the quality of maple syrup that:
- Not more than 68.9% solids content by weight (Brix);
- Has good uniform color;
- Has good flavor and odor, and intensity of flavor (maple taste) normally associated with the color class;
- Is free from off-flavors and odors considered as damage;
Although the average bottle of real maple syrup tastes relatively the same, there is certainly more colorful and tasteful variation among Vermont producers that Canadian maple syrup lacks.
What grade is Vermont maple syrup? ›
Color is the primary factor when grading Vermont maple syrup, and the grade is determined by the percent light transmission: 'Golden' syrup has a light transmission 75% or above. 'Amber' syrup has a light transmission of between 50% and 74.9% 'Dark' syrup has a light transmission of between 25% and 49.9%
Why is Vermont maple syrup so expensive? ›
Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association explains that to create the syrup, the sap must be boiled for hours to cook off the water and concentrate the sugars. So much of the sap is lost in a sweet-smelling cloud of steam that it takes an incredible forty gallons or more to make just one gallon of maple syrup.
Is Kirkland maple syrup bad for you? ›
No ingredient concerns identified for this product
EWG has not identified any ingredient concerns for this product.
Unopened maple syrup of any kind can be stored in a cool, dark place until you're ready to use it, ideally within two years. But once opened, pure maple syrup should be stored in the refrigerator.
Can you eat 10 year old maple syrup? ›
Maple syrup can last near forever if it is stored properly. If the maple container is sealed and unopened, keep it stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. A pantry or cabinet is a good option. It's best stored in glass, then plastic, and finally in lined tin.
Is Vermont maple syrup good? ›
One of the reasons why Vermont maple syrup is the best is that Vermont has higher standards than the US government when it comes to the purity its of maple syrup.
What is the healthiest maple syrup to buy? ›
It is healthier to stick to organic and pure maple syrup – or “real maple syrup” as it is sometimes called.
What is best fake maple syrup? ›
Out of all the syrups, including real maple syrup, the top three are: Aunt Jemima original, Aunt Jemima butter lite, and Eggo original.
What do you use Kirkland maple syrup for? ›
Kirkland Signature Organic Maple Syrup is 100% pure and natural. Try Kirkland Signature Organic Maple Syrup on pancakes, waffles, Fernch toast, ice cream and fruit.
Is expensive maple syrup better? ›
The difference? To save cost, big packers will blend maple syrup from hundreds of producers, from multiple crops. They will also balance taste and colour to get a uniform-looking syrup but this lowers the quality and of course, you taste the difference.
Which grade of maple syrup is the best for you? ›
What grade maple syrup is healthiest? Whether it's for use in a master cleanse or as a topping for your pancakes, Grade A Dark will be better for you. It has more antioxidants and mineral content than the lighter colors.
