What's in a grade?

Do you buy Grade A maple syrup because you think it's better in some way than Grade B syrup?

I used to. I mean, I grew up wanting to get an A on my report card, not a B. (Doesn't mean I always got an A, but you get my point.) So yeah, I went for the syrup that earned an A—I mean, it had to have tried harder, right?

Wrong. Although Grade B may often be less expensive than Grade A, it didn't try any less. It's just different. It breaks down like this: there are three grades of Grade A syrup: light amber (sometimes known as "fancy"), medium amber, and dark amber. Interestingly, the powers that be in the maple syrup marketing cabal didn't choose to grade these A+, A, and A-. Huh. Can't imagine why not.

Anyway, the truth about Grade B is, it's darker than the darkest Grade A. More intense. More aromatic. And less money.

Some people just can't handle the truth.