Maple syrup should be simple.

You go and find a tree, you stick a tap into it, and you drink from it.

Then you must consider all the additives available for your pancake-topping.

Fadden’s Maple Syrup

Getting Real About Maple Syrup

Most Americans dont get real maple syrup.

Rather, wereswilling a syrup concoctionof sugar and viscous fluids with maple flavoring.

To get the real stuff, you have to hunt a little and be ready to spend.

The Maple Guys - Pure maple syrup

A Note On Rankings:Maple syrup is given a letter ranking (A, B).

These do not correspond to the quality of the syrup, but rather the darkness and richness it has.

If you wish to know more about it, heres Whole Foodsexplanation of syrup rankings.

Hilltop Boilers Pure Maine - maple syrup

Made right in a little general store and sugar shack, its simple goodness in a bottle.

GearPatrol calls them Best of New Hampshire.

Purchase: $8 per 16 oz.

The Maple Guys Pure NH - maple syrup

They help people learn to make their own syrup right from trees.

Purchase: $8 per 8 oz.

By the way: You wont have an issue.

Dutch Gold McLure’s maple syrup

Purchase: $9 per 16 oz.

Purchase: $11 per 12.5 oz.

Its now made by a honey company for some reason.

45th Parallel Estate - Pure Vermont Maple Syrup (Vanilla Infused)

Purchase: $11 per 16 oz.

Theres no synthetic additives involved, just natural ingredients and know-how.

Purchase: $14 per 8.5 oz.

Crown Amber Maple Syrup

Purchase: $17 per 12.5 oz.

Purchase: $18 per 17 oz.

The purity will hit you hard, and youll be changed forever, unable to enjoy any other syrup.

Canadian Finest Maple Syrup

If you like a strong, clean maple flavor, prepare for your tongue to enter paradise.

Purchase: $21 per 12.7 oz.

Brown Family Farm

Flying V:In New England, maple syrup is a national pastime.

Kirkland Signature Maple Syrup

While otherswatch sports, Vermontonians tap trees.

A little darker thanks to a longer boil, this will knock you back.

Purchase: $24 per 32 oz.

Camp 100% Pure Maple Syrup

Uncle Lukes

Slow As:Uncle Luke seems to like his syrup seriously thick.

Youll either hate it or be instantly hooked.

Coombs Family Farms Pure Organic

Naturalized:The Coombs family apparently takes truly natural eating very seriously.

Brown Family Farm - Maple Syrup

Certified as Kosher and organic, even the plastic jug is BPA free and easily recycled.

Purchase: $25 per 32 oz.

Purchase: $26 per 32 oz.

Uncle Luke’s - Pure Maple Syrup

Purchase: $45 per 40.5 oz.

And now your favorite?

Coombs Family - Organic Maple Syrup

Highland Sugarworks Maple Syrup Specialty Bottle

Trader Joe’s - Organic maple syrup (dark amber)

Bushwick Kitchen Trees Knees Maple Madness