Maple Syrup vs Corn Syrup: Difference and Comparison

Maple syrup and Corn syrup are both sugar syrups. Syrups are used as food dressing items. Maple syrup is manufactured from maple tree sap, which is further boiled, to reduce the percentage of water and concentrate in sugar.

Though corn syrup is made from the starch of corn kernels, in maple syrups, sugar is in the form of Sucrose, while in corn syrups, sugar is in the form of pure Glucose. 

Key Takeaways

  1. Maple syrup is a natural sweetener made from the sap of maple trees, while corn syrup is a processed sweetener derived from cornstarch.
  2. Maple syrup offers a distinct flavour and a range of beneficial nutrients, including minerals and antioxidants, whereas corn syrup is primarily a source of empty calories without significant nutritional value.
  3. Both sweeteners serve as ingredients in various recipes. Still, maple syrup is considered a healthier, more natural alternative to corn syrup, linked to health concerns when consumed in excess.

Maple Syrup vs Corn Syrup

The difference between maple syrup and corn syrup is that maple syrup is produced using maple tree sap, though corn syrup is produced using the starch of corn kernels. On the other hand, Maple syrup is mostly Sucrose, while corn syrup is in the pure form of Glucose. Maple syrups are much costlier as compared to corn syrup.

Maple Syrup vs Corn Syrup

Maple syrup is obtained from the maple tree sap. Maple trees are mainly found in the hilly regions. The syrup is, produced using red or dark maple trees.

The sugar content in maple syrup is Sucrose with other added ingredients that provide colour to the syrup. It is a natural sweetener that is, used in food dressing.

Corn syrup is a characteristic sugar that is, obtained from corn kernels. It is essentially created by separating the cornstarch. It tends to be accomplished either by warming or weakening the acids.

The sugar content here is pure Glucose. Corn syrups can be light as well as dull syrups relying on preparation.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonMaple SyrupCorn Syrup
DefinitionIt is a syrup that is produced from maple tree sap. It is a syrup that is produced from the kernels of corn.
Sugar form Over here, the sugar is in the form of pure Glucose.Maple syrups are much costlier.
Cost The nutritional value is comparatively lesser than maple syrups. Corn syrups are mostly cheaper than maple syrups. 
Nutritional Value It is rich in antioxidants and contains a good amount of calcium and potassium.The workforce required for making this syrup is high.
LabourThe manpower required is less as it can be easily prepared in large batches.Manpower required is less as it can be easily prepared in large batches.

What is Maple Syrup?

Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that is produced from maple sap trees. The trees are mainly found in the hilly region.

The first step in making the syrup is collecting the sap of maple trees from the xylem. The trees that are used in making the maple syrups are either red or black maple trees.

When the sap is collected, it can boil at a high temperature, concentrating the fluid. When the liquid is concentrated, it gradually shapes into a thick syrup.

These saps already contain sugar. When heated, the sugar in the maple sap gets converted into Sucrose. It has about 2% of sugar.

Once the saps are boiled, they slowly lose the water content in the fluid, and we eventually get the syrup. The syrup can be made thicker by increasing the time of boiling.

Maple syrups contain a good amount of antioxidants required for the human body. It also has good calcium and potassium that strengthens the bone.

It is served with pancakes and waffles. Once it is, added to the food, it changes the taste and colour of the food.

The labour required here for manufacturing the syrup is high, so the cost is also higher than the corn syrup.

maple syrup

What is Corn Syrup?

Corn syrup is a characteristic sugar that is, formed from cornstarch. In this process, the kernels of corn are, utilized to make the syrup.

The corn starch is manufactured by multi-process by either adding the catalysts or diluting it with the acid. The most common way of weakening with corrosive is an old process of converting starch into sugar.

These days it is acquired by adding the catalysts called alpha-amylase. It is further added to the combination of water and cornstarch.

Once added, it is permitted to warm, which changes over this starch into a pure type of sugar, i.e., Glucose. That is the reason it is additionally called glucose syrup.

The interaction is simple and can make in numerous groups along these lines. The expected labour supply is also less required. Corn syrups can be sold as dark or light corn syrups.

Dark corn syrups are manufactured by adding caramel, which is mostly better than light corn syrup.

Corn syrups contain fewer antioxidants than maple syrups; also, the amount of calcium and potassium content is less in these syrups.

Corn syrups are mostly cheaper than maple syrups. Though, these syrups are produced in large batches, reducing the price.

corn syrup

Main Differences Between Maple Syrup and Corn Syrup

  1. Maple syrup is made with the help of maple sap, while corn syrup is made with cornstarch produced by the kernels of corn.
  2. The cost of maple syrup is much higher, as it takes more time to prepare and needs a lot of labour, whereas corn syrup is much cheaper than maple syrup.
  3. Maple syrup is rich in antioxidants as it contains a good amount of calcium and potassium content, while corn syrup has less percentage of antioxidants.
  4. The sugar which is present in Maple syrup is called Sucrose. In contrast, the sugar present in the corn syrup is in the form of pure Glucose.
  5. Manufacturing maple syrup requires a lot of labour compared to corn syrup which requires less workforce because it is, prepared in large batches.
Difference Between Maple Syrup and Corn Syrup
References
  1. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ed084p1647
  2. https://academicjournals.org/Journal/BMBR/article-abstract/41CAC0411547

Last Updated : 25 July, 2023

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