Grading determines price. Their flavors are more delicate than the darker syrups that are shipped to food processing plants and commercial bakeries. A cook would be well served to keep a jar of maple syrup in the refrigerator. Used as a sugar substitute, it offers sweetness and flavor. It gives a rich taste to coffee or tea, custard puddings, fruit compotes, cakes and cookies.
Ice cream becomes a quick dessert when maple syrup is served warm over ice cream.
Whisk together two large eggs with one and one half cups light brown sugar. Bake pie in lower third of oven until filling is puffed and looks dry, but still trembles. Cool on rack. The unsweetened creams balance the sweetness of the pie. Seasonings need not only be herbs and spices, but other food elements, such as a beef essence, tomato paste, condiments, or a puree of fruit or vegetable can serve as excellent and healthful flavorings.