10 Best Maple Syrups in the UK 2024 (Kirkland, MapleFarm and More)
Drizzling 100% pure syrupy goodness over your pancakes, ice cream, cereal, or any other delight you can dream up, is a one-way ticket to the sweetest of aromas and taste. Considered a slightly healthier choice than standard white table sugar, pure maple syrup contains some nutrients and antioxidants, comparable to honey, but without the bees.
Whether you're after vibrant amber and dark Canadian maple syrups of the utmost quality and taste, or an alternative to golden syrup that will keep the kids happy, to help you choose, we've ranked the top 10 best in the UK from the always reliable Amazon, Waitrose, Asda and eBay. This will give you more time for the important part - drizzling and devouring it!
Quick List - Top Maple Syrups
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
- How to Choose a Maple Syrup in the UK ― Buying Guide
- Finding That Special Syrup Is Heavily Influenced by Its Colour Grading1
- Fantasise About Your Desired Flavour Notes, and Purchase Accordingly2
- Seek Out 100% Pure for That Unadulterated Maple Syrup Experience3
- If Organic Matters to You Then You're in Capable Maple Producing Hands4
- Knowing Where Your Maple Syrup Comes From Will Give You Drizzling Pride5
- Kitchen Cupboard Classics for Topping Your Toast
- Summary
How to Choose a Maple Syrup in the UK ― Buying Guide
A maple syrup should hit all the right flavour notes you imagined it would. But with a plethora of brands and varieties out there, finding the right maple syrup for you and your family can sometimes be a tricky endeavour. This simple buying guide will aim to shed some of the choosing shackles, putting you in touch with your perfect maple syrup pairing.
Finding That Special Syrup Is Heavily Influenced by Its Colour Grading
Colour grading is the most influential aspect to the taste and texture of every maple syrup. That's because maple syrup's colour is determined by how quickly the xylem sap is collected from the maple trees in the maple producing season. Light and golden syrups are collected early on, whereas the darker coloured maple syrups are produced towards the end of the season.
However, the maple syrup colour grading system can get a little confusing as the classification is determined by where a maple syrup is intended to be sold. For example, Canadian maple syrup intended for sale in the US uses a different grading than the one used for sale in Canada and the UK.
Luckily, both follow the same grading convention, starting with the lightest, and the colour getting darker as the strength of the flavour increases. The US system starts its grading at Grade A golden, followed by amber, dark and very dark. While the Canadian classification includes No.1 light, No.1 medium, No.2 amber and No.3 dark.
Fantasise About Your Desired Flavour Notes, and Purchase Accordingly
Each maple syrup has particular flavour notes it will bring to the breakfast table. As with colour, the taste of maple syrup is influenced by the time in the season in which the xylem sap is tapped from the maple trees it comes from.
Golden and light maple syrups produce sweet and fruity flavours which make eating them pleasantly easy. Sitting pretty in the middle, is the world's most popular variety of maple syrup, the stone-cold classics of amber and No.1 medium. Be ready for flavour notes of woody vanilla and caramel, leaving you with a subtle intensity and pining for more.
The darker varieties are often referred to as being an acquired taste, hitting the palate with a sucker-punch of bold fondness. Burnt sugar, rich caramel and coffee are synonymous with these delightfully dark syrups for the maple syrup disciples.
Seek Out 100% Pure for That Unadulterated Maple Syrup Experience
Discovering whether your maple syrup is as nature intended, is kind of all you need to know. Top-shelf maple syrup brands won't bother with anything less, which is why seeing the proud labelling of '100% pure' will give you confidence that what you're buying is the real maple tasting deal.
If a maple syrup doesn't include this on its label, then there's a very good chance you'll be finding some sneaky additives on the ingredients list. These can range from corn syrup, carob fruit syrup, caramel colouring, thickeners, stabilisers, water, salt and, of course, refined sugar.
Another industry favourite is to include artificial maple extract, instead of the pure unhampered version, thus equalling an inferior tasting product with much cheaper production costs. In saying that, these maple syrups still have their place in the market, with many kids preferring the not so pure blends with sweeter and easier tastes.
If Organic Matters to You Then You're in Capable Maple Producing Hands
Many Canadian maple syrup producers pride themselves, first and foremost, in creating syrups of the highest quality. Organic maple syrup is all about the way in which the maple trees are tapped, where they are tapped and how the sap is collected and stored, so it's only natural that top producers would progress down the organic route too.
Be on the look out for any maple syrup that is 100% certified by one of the recognised Canadian certifiers like EcoCert. Organic maple farming practices include farming without the use of herbicides, pesticides and synthetic fertilisers, all of which can have negative impacts on both the environment and our health.
Knowing Where Your Maple Syrup Comes From Will Give You Drizzling Pride
It's maple producing folklore that the region in which a maple syrup is produced will help to inform the uniqueness of it's taste. Although this may not be 100% proven, there's certainly some good evidence to back up this claim.
With 80% of the world's maple syrup coming straight out of the Quebec province of Canada, honing in on the exact region will help you to form the maple-creating story in your head. This is because the region of Quebec is known as a place where the maple 'flows better', with many maple producers of this region still using traditional tapping techniques and production methods.
Another interesting note on the maple story, is focusing on the preferred maple species for producing maple syrup. The sugar maple commonly takes the tapping cake, seen as the premiere tree that creates the most authentic tasting syrup. Other popular maple varieties are red and black maple trees, which both produce delightfully sweet syrups.
10 Best Maple Syrups in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kirkland Amber Maple Syrup | | Steeped in Delicious Dripping History, Kirkland Have Always Done It Best | |
2 | MapleFarm Organic Dark Maple Syrup | | Overflowing With Silky Tones of Organic Maple Madness | |
3 | 47 North Organic Maple Syrup | | Single Source Maple Syrup With an Intensely Rich Flavour | |
4 | Waitrose Duchy Organic Maple Syrup | | Organic Maple Syrup From the Prized Beauce Region of Quebec | |
5 | Maple Shack Dark Maple Syrup | | Pure, Grade A Dark, Finger Licking Good Maple Syrup | |
6 | Buckwud Organic Maple Syrup | | No.1 Medium Maple Syrup for a Buck-Wild Kind of Time | |
7 | Hilltop Honey Very Dark Maple Syrup | | Very Dark High-Quality Maple Syrup for the Keenest of Eaters | |
8 | Tesco Tesco Finest Maple Syrup | | Tesco's Finest Is Light and Golden in Taste and Consistency | |
9 | Asda Extra Special Maple Syrup | | A 100% Pure Maple Syrup That Everyone Can Get Onboard With | |
10 | Clarks Original Maple Syrup | | Family Favourite Blended Maple Syrup With Carob Fruit Syrup |
Steeped in Delicious Dripping History, Kirkland Have Always Done It Best
Kirkland maple syrup is an institution in the US and Canada. Widely considered to be the most authentic maple syrup, staying true to original production methods dating back 200 years. It's also insanely well priced, considering you get an entire litre of the stuff.
With over 2,500 positive ratings, you just know this maple syrup is the sweetening gift that'll keep on giving. Amber in colour and taste, the signature Kirkland flavour has notes of molasses, vanilla and caramel, destined to impress through a silky smooth texture and joyful drizzling experience.
Overflowing With Silky Tones of Organic Maple Madness
MapleFarm have created a thing of maple defining beauty with this syrup. Rated dark on the colour grading system, this is actually a very silky and light textured offering considering its robust nature.
With fruity flavour notes coupled alongside a classic caramel taste, it'll slide straight onto your pancakes, and even easier into your thankful belly. It's a 100% pure, organic certified maple syrup out of Quebec, Canada that'll do everything except disappoint!
Single Source Maple Syrup With an Intensely Rich Flavour
Does it get any more captivating than the 47 North maple story? Being produced on their independently owned and operated maple farm in Brunswick, Canada, this is a dark maple syrup with a light and comforting past.
Collected late in the winter by hand-tapping snowcapped maple trees ensures this syrup will be warm and gritty with burnt vanilla and caramel notes. In addition to all this single origin excellence, it's also organic certified, giving you confidence from tree to bottle.
Organic Maple Syrup From the Prized Beauce Region of Quebec
Waitrose are on to a winner-winner-maple-drizzler with this organic syrup. Sourced from the sugar maple trees of the Beauce region of Quebec, it's a syrup that knows its story.
Being a No.1 medium on the colour scale gives this delightfully spiced syrup plenty of scope to be adored by a wide audience of maple lovers. The rich caramel and vanilla tones will entice you into a maple-induced spin as you sit in wonderment, pondering what you just experienced.
Pure, Grade A Dark, Finger Licking Good Maple Syrup
Using the US colour grading system, this 100% pure maple syrup from the Maple Shack company is a full bodied syrup that hits all the darkest notes. Imagine intense burnt caramel oozing over your pancakes, and this syrup will take you there.
Due to its dark demeanour, it's a great addition to any baking or cooking needs, adding some sweet and spicy fire that's destined to bring a cake to life or a dish to unfound flavour heights. It's also a fantastic price for 1 litre of syrupy goodness!
No.1 Medium Maple Syrup for a Buck-Wild Kind of Time
Buckwud's maple syrup is 100% pure and certified organic by EcoCert. This gives it a certain air of quality control, ensuring its farming, production and bottling practices follow the strictest of organic guidelines.
It's a No.1 medium maple syrup, providing complex flavour notes of buttery caramel, gingerbread spice and mild smokey aromas. This makes for a beautifully scented syrup that'll instruct every maple devotee to step in line and start drizzling!
Very Dark High-Quality Maple Syrup for the Keenest of Eaters
In stark contrast to numbers 8, 9 and 10, Hilltop's very dark maple syrup is as intense as it gets. Sourced very late in the season, this maple syrup is distinctly potent and should not be slurped down lightly!
This is a high-quality maple syrup that's got reviewers whipped up into a maple desiring frenzy, with some proclaiming it to be the best maple syrup they've ever had the pleasure of partaking in. Squeeze it over your pancakes, ice cream or waffles for a full-bodied, no fuss, all thrills approach to the maple devouring story.
Tesco's Finest Is Light and Golden in Taste and Consistency
Part of the Tesco Finest range, this maple syrup is both light in taste and pure in origin. Coming directly out of Quebec's sugar woods, it's been tapped early on in the season, making it a No.1 light maple syrup that's set to please even the fussiest of eaters.
With flavour notes of butterscotch and crème caramel, it's an insanely sweet yet light affair that'll leave many searching the kitchen, questioning what else they can smother it on. Destined to be loved by kids, but may be scoffed at by maple lovers after something more robust in flavour.
A 100% Pure Maple Syrup That Everyone Can Get Onboard With
Out of Quebec, Canada, Asda's Extra Special 100% pure maple syrup is well priced and poised to please. Being No.1 Medium on the colour scale ensures the whole family has the potential to find some maple drizzling pleasure with this one.
Unfortunately, no flavour notes have been linked to this particular syrup. But, because it sits pretty in the middle in colour and taste, it should have a discernible amount of that classic maple flavour, while not being too overpowering, making it another easy choice for the kids to enjoy.
Family Favourite Blended Maple Syrup With Carob Fruit Syrup
Clarks Original is a blended maple syrup, containing 72% carob fruit syrup mixed with 27% maple syrup. Although it has a bad rep where purity is concerned, carob fruit syrup actually has 45% less sugar when compared to white granulated sugar.
This can make it a healthier option for pouring over kids cereal, as well as for cooking. Natural maple flavouring has also been included, giving it that classic maple taste for less. Certainly a cheaper alternative for the kids who won't mind, and probably wouldn't know any better.
Kitchen Cupboard Classics for Topping Your Toast
Keeping the kitchen cupboard packed full of spreadable goodness will give the whole family something to get up for in the morning. Luckily, we've also ranked the best honeys, peanut and almond butters in the UK, ensuring an all-inclusive breakfast affair!
Summary
Maple Syrup is a versatile delicacy that deserves food pairings worthy of its sweetening prowess. Here's hoping this article has given you the keys and opened the door on sourcing a maple syrup that even the Canadians would proud to devour!
Author: Connor Macanally
Top 5 Maple Syrups
No. 1: Kirkland｜Amber Maple Syrup
No. 2: MapleFarm｜Organic Dark Maple Syrup
No. 3: 47 North｜Organic Maple Syrup
No. 4: Waitrose｜Duchy Organic Maple Syrup
No. 5: Maple Shack｜Dark Maple Syrup
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Search by category
Automotive
Agricultural vehicle parts & equipment, Car & motorbike care, Car & vehicle electronicsBaby Products
Activity & entertainment, Car seats & accessories, Carriers & accessoriesBeauty
Bath & body, Fragrances, Hair careBooks
Antiquarian, rare & collectable, Arts & photography, Biographies & memoirsBusiness, Industry & Science
3D printing & scanning, Abrasive & finishing products, Agricultural equipment & suppliesComputers & Accessories
Accessories, Barebone PCs, Components & replacement partsDIY, Garden & Tools
Building supplies, Construction machinery, ElectricalElectronics & Photo
Accessories, Camera & photo, Car & vehicle electronicsFashion
Baby, Boys, GirlsGrocery
Baby foods, Bakery, Beer, wine & spiritsHealth & Personal Care
Baby & child care, Dental care, Diet & nutritionHome & Kitchen
Arts & crafts, Artwork, BathroomLarge Appliances
Beer & wine storage & dispensers, Compact kitchens, Dishwashers & dish dryersMusical Instruments & DJ
Bass guitars & gear, DJ & VJ equipment, Drums & percussionPC & Video Games
Currency & subscription cards, Handheld game systems, Legacy systemsPet Supplies
Birds, Cats, DogsSports & Outdoors
Accessories, Fitness, Hunting & fishingStationery & Office Products
Art & craft supplies, Calendars, planners & personal organisers, Envelopes & mailing suppliesToys & Games
Arts & crafts, Baby & toddler toys, Building & construction toys