以前北美的枫糖浆有三种分级方式：加拿大、美国佛蒙特州、美国其他州。佛蒙特州这么拽是因为它出产了全美约 40% 的枫糖浆 。
比如说，最浅的颜色在枫叶国叫 Canada No. 1 Extra Light，在美国叫 Grade A Light Amber，在 Vermont 叫 Fancy，搞得消费者都很困惑，于是 2015 年美国农业部弄了套新的评级系统，还好这次 Vermont 和加拿大都认了，不然就会变成 3 + 1 种分级方式了。
根据新的 USDA 评级系统[来源]，市面上能买到枫糖浆都是 Grade A，分为 Golden/Delicate（细腻）、 Amber/Rich（丰富）、 Dark/Robust（较重）、 Very Dark/Strong（更重）4 种，颜色由浅至深、口味由轻变重。它们的生产技术完全一样，造成这种区别的原因是生产季节：早春的枫糖颜色最浅、口味最轻，越往后的枫糖颜色越深、口味越重。除了下表「推荐」的用途外，买什么样的枫糖浆主要取决于个人口味和喜好，就像有人喜欢辛辣、有人喜欢清淡一样，并无优劣之分。
美国市面上能买到的枫糖分级
（制表：美国攻略）
| 评级 | 口味 | 透光度 | 颜色 | 推荐用途 | 购买 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Grade A Golden | 细腻 | ≥75.0 | Cream, Candy | 点我 | |
| US Grade A Amber | 丰富 | 50.0-74.9 | Table Syrup | 点我 | |
| US Grade A Dark | 较重 | 25.0-49.9 | Topping, Cooking | 点我 | |
| US Grade A Very Dark | 更重 | <25.0 | Baking | 点我 |
因此，如果现在有商家宣传自己的枫糖浆是 USDA Grade A，并不说明它的质量有多么优异，因为市面上所有的枫糖浆都是 Grade A 。以前 USDA 曾经有 Grade B，相当于现在的 Grade A Dark/Very Dark，我怀疑那时加拿大和 Vermont 不喜欢 USDA 标准的原因之一，就是 Grade B 听上去像是 subpar 、让人（误）以为它的品质不好。
除了上表的 4 种 Grade A 外，枫糖浆还有 Processing Grade 仅限商业用途，以及不达标的 Substandard，这两种级别的枫糖浆并不对个人消费者出售，因此你不会买到、我们就不介绍了。下面是美国卖得最好的 6 种枫糖浆。
- FLAVOR PROFILE: Our Grade A Amber Color Rich Taste syrup provides a naturally sweet, rich and smooth...
- SUSTAINABLY SOURCED: At Butternut Mountain Farm we are committed to giving you 100% pure Vermont...
- QUALITY STORY: Our pure maple syrup is carefully selected to ensure the product you receive is of...
- That's why our Grade A maple syrup is renowned for its wonderful flavor, color and consistency
- Most use it on pancakes, waffles or French toast, but the possibilities are endless
- Each serving of Maple Grove Farms Pure Maple Syrup contains no high fructose corn syrup, fat, sodium...
- Certified Organic/Kosher
- Packaging may slightly vary from the above image.
- Deep Rich Flavor
- 365 by Whole Foods Market products give you that dance-down-the-aisles feeling, virtual aisles too!...
- Brought to you by Whole Foods Market. The packaging for this product has a fresh new look. During...
- Tapped from certified organic maple trees, our Dark Maple Syrup is robust with strong notes of...
- Fat-Free
- That's why our Grade A maple syrup is renowned for its wonderful flavor, color and consistency
- Most use it on pancakes, waffles or French toast, but the possibilities are endless
- Each serving of Maple Grove Farms Pure Maple Syrup contains no high fructose corn syrup, fat, sodium...
#
@Last update on 2023-04-04. Affiliate links and images from Amazon Product Advertising API. This website is an Amazon Associate. We earn from qualifying purchases.