Maple Nectar: An ingredient soon to take its place in the world of natural sweeteners!
Maple Nectar was officially recognized as an innovative maple product by the Québec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP) and the Maple Industry Council (MIC) in 2022, demonstrating industry support for it. This recognition was solidified by the recent inclusion of Maple Nectar in the Maple Sap Marketing Convention as a new sweetening agent from maple production, aimed at standardizing its purchase and sale. Maple Nectar is now standardized under the term “High Brix Maple Concentrate,” although we continue to internally refer to it as Maple Nectar.
This integration into the convention confirmed to us that the maple industry has a keen interest in marketing new products. Our multidisciplinary team’s technological challenge was to create the necessary equipment to produce a concentrate of up to 66 °Brix. With our goal now achieved, we are working to make this unique equipment and technology quickly accessible to maple producers across North America.
In 2023, the Acer Center confirmed through its research that CDL’s technology and process preserve the nutritional integrity of the sap throughout the concentration and transformation process up to the desired Brix level. Further studies conducted by an external research group aimed to characterize High Brix Maple Concentrate (Maple Nectar) and understand the impact of each process step on the final product. These studies showed that High Brix Maple Concentrate is a natural source of energy, minerals (calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium), and vitamins (riboflavin and thiamine). Additionally, it is a source of polyphenols and antioxidants, as well as organic acids and phytohormones. Maple Nectar is also an additional source of electrolytes.
Maple Nectar was showcased at FOODEX JAPAN 2024, a major food fair held in Tokyo last March. Interest and curiosity for this new maple-based sweetening agent were high. Visitors were particularly interested in its taste, very clear color, and eco-friendly fabrication process.
Around ten potential customers from various food sectors will test High Brix Maple Concentrate (Maple Nectar) as an ingredient to replace their current sweetening agent in the coming months.
In our view, this complementary product to maple syrup is undoubtedly promising for the entire maple industry with its numerous opportunities as a sweetening agent for the food industry. Here is a profile of an American company that has embraced this new sweetening agent.
Sap! Beverages
Sap! products are sparkling plant-based beverages made from 100% pure maple and birch sap. Chas Smith, co-founder and CEO of Sap! Beverages, and his team immediately believed in this innovative product that truly resonated with them. Since then, High Brix Maple Concentrate has been integrated into their canned beverages sold in Vermont.
