Maple syrup and honey are some popular alternatives to sugar, but certainly not limited to that. Both these sweet, sticky syrups hold their own and are used in various recipes. One is sourced from trees, the other comes from bees. While both find their unique uses in various recipes, it gets more important to know which is healthier, tastier, and the best option for you. In a maple syrup vs. honey choice, which one should you choose?
Maple Syrup vs. Honey
Maple syrup is the sap of maple trees. This is most commonly derived from sugar maples, although black and red maples are also used for the purpose. The sap is collected by drilling a hole in the tree trunk. This liquid is then processed to achieve the maple syrup we access on store shelves and online.
Honey, on the other hand, comes from the efforts of honeybees and is not considered vegan. So if you are living a vegan lifestyle, honey is not an option for you to consider, since it is collected from their combs. Apart from this, honey is a common and popular sweetener and comes closer as a substitute for sugar as compared to maple syrup.
Should you use honey or maple syrup? Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Maple Syrup vs. Honey: Which is Healthier?
According to FoodData Central, every 100g maple syrup packs 260 kcals energy and about 60 gm sugar. It is also a source of calcium, potassium, and magnesium, along with carbohydrates. [1]
Honey, on the other hand, packs 304 kcals energy per 100 gm and over 82 gm sugar. This certainly makes honey sweeter and richer than maple syrup. It has some potassium, but not as much as maple syrup. [2]
These details make maple syrup a tad bit healthier than honey, especially if you are looking to cut back on sugar. Also, vegans would prefer it over honey when choosing between the two.
How to Choose the Right One?
Not all maple syrup on the shelf is maple syrup. If you take a moment to even look at the front label, you will realize that proper maple syrup is not the same as pancake syrup. While there is nothing wrong with either, the latter is often a mix of several sweet ingredients, made especially as a pancake drizzle for ones with a sweet tooth.
A bottle of authentic maple syrup, on the other hand, will not be limited to drizzle on your pancakes and waffles. It can be used as a sweetener ingredient in recipes, especially in baking processes. Apart from this, it also finds use as a meat glaze for a barbeque or to make maple cream, given its distinct flavor.
When choosing honey, ensure you are not allergic to it and go for the unadulterated version. So even if your label reads honey, turn it around to ensure it hasn’t been diluted with corn syrup or any such sweetener. It may help to buy locally-sourced honey from organic producers or farmers
When choosing for the best between the maple syrup vs. honey, the basic difference to consider between them is the distinct flavor of each one. This is especially true when picking pure maple syrup or floral honey.
