Sharon Lehman, R.D. - Apr 12 2023

Bee Sweet or Tree Treat:
The Battle Between Maple Syrup and Honey

Sugar is a hot topic in the world of health and nutrition, and two popular sweeteners, maple syrup and honey, often go head-to-head. While both are natural and full of health benefits, there are some distinct differences that separate these two natural powerhouses. Join us as we dive into each sweetener's nutritional benefits and drawbacks to reveal which is healthier, better from a flavor perspective, and ultimately which one reigns supreme.

Honey vs Maple Syrup. What's the difference

Sharon Lehman, R.D. - Apr 12 2023

Bee Sweet or Tree Treat:
The Battle Between Maple Syrup and Honey

Sugar is a hot topic in the world of health and nutrition, and two popular sweeteners, maple syrup and honey, often go head-to-head. While both are natural and full of health benefits, there are some distinct differences that separate these two natural powerhouses.
Join us as we dive into each sweetener's nutritional benefits and drawbacks to reveal which is healthier, better from a flavor perspective, and ultimately which one reigns supreme.

Sharon Lehman, R.D. - Apr 12 2023

Bee Sweet or Tree Treat:
The Battle Between Maple Syrup and Honey

Sugar is a hot topic in the world of health and nutrition, and two popular sweeteners, maple syrup and honey, often go head-to-head. While both are natural and full of health benefits, there are some distinct differences that separate these two natural powerhouses.
Join us as we dive into each sweetener's nutritional benefits and drawbacks to reveal which is healthier, better from a flavor perspective, and ultimately which one reigns supreme.

How Maple Syrup and Honey Are Made

Maple syrup and honey are like two siblings who end up taking completely different paths in life. Maple syrup is all about grinding away, working hard to become concentrated and syrupy. Honey, on the other hand, is more of a free spirit, collecting nectar from flowers and letting it sit and simmer until it becomes the thick, sticky stuff we all know and love. It's almost like comparing apples and oranges, but in this case, like comparing trees and bees.

Maple syrup is the final result of boiling down the sap of a maple tree until it becomes a delicious syrup consistency. Honey, on the other hand, is the product of bees collecting nectar from flowering plants and using some fancy wing-work to transform it into a sweet, sticky treat. While maple syrup is the result of a maple tree sap makeover, honey undergoes a transformation from nectar to a delightful spread with the help of our buzzing bee friends. Talk about resourceful!

Now honey may be the bees' knees when it comes to taste, but it's an off-limits ingredient if you're a strict vegan. While it might come from natural sources, it's technically not vegan since it's made by insects. Luckily, maple syrup is a great alternative that's sourced completely from plants, making it a sweet choice for all our animal-loving friends out there.

How Maple Syrup and Honey Are Made

Maple syrup and honey are like two siblings who end up taking completely different paths in life. Maple syrup is all about grinding away, working hard to become concentrated and syrupy. Honey, on the other hand, is more of a free spirit, collecting nectar from flowers and letting it sit and simmer until it becomes the thick, sticky stuff we all know and love. It's almost like comparing apples and oranges, but in this case, like comparing trees and bees.

Maple syrup is the final result of boiling down the sap of a maple tree until it becomes a delicious syrup consistency. Honey, on the other hand, is the product of bees collecting nectar from flowering plants and using some fancy wing-work to transform it into a sweet, sticky treat. While maple syrup is the result of a maple tree sap makeover, honey undergoes a transformation from nectar to a delightful spread with the help of our buzzing bee friends. Talk about resourceful!

Now honey may be the bees' knees when it comes to taste, but it's an off-limits ingredient if you're a strict vegan. While it might come from natural sources, it's technically not vegan since it's made by insects. Luckily, maple syrup is a great alternative that's sourced completely from plants, making it a sweet choice for all our animal-loving friends out there.

How Maple Syrup and Honey Are Made

Maple syrup and honey are like two siblings who end up taking completely different paths in life. Maple syrup is all about grinding away, working hard to become concentrated and syrupy. Honey, on the other hand, is more of a free spirit, collecting nectar from flowers and letting it sit and simmer until it becomes the thick, sticky stuff we all know and love. It's almost like comparing apples and oranges, but in this case, like comparing trees and bees.

Maple syrup is the final result of boiling down the sap of a maple tree until it becomes a delicious syrup consistency. Honey, on the other hand, is the product of bees collecting nectar from flowering plants and using some fancy wing-work to transform it into a sweet, sticky treat. While maple syrup is the result of a maple tree sap makeover, honey undergoes a transformation from nectar to a delightful spread with the help of our buzzing bee friends. Talk about resourceful!

Now honey may be the bees' knees when it comes to taste, but it's an off-limits ingredient if you're a strict vegan. While it might come from natural sources, it's technically not vegan since it's made by insects. Luckily, maple syrup is a great alternative that's sourced completely from plants, making it a sweet choice for all our animal-loving friends out there.

Maple Syrup vs. Honey: Flavor

Maple syrup and honey may both satisfy your sweet tooth, but they're more different than you might expect when it comes to flavor. While honey is all about that floral goodness, maple syrup brings a complexity of flavor with hints of sugary caramel. It's like the difference between a sweet kiss and a sweet, sweet embrace.

Maple syrup is like a fine wine - her color and flavor are dependent on a multitude of factors, including the weather, collection methods, and boiling time. The darker the syrup, the more bold and intense the flavor, perfect for recipes that require an extra oomph of sweetness.

Conversely, the golden and amber syrups offer a more gentle and mild taste, ideal for topping off any dish, or giving a little extra sweetness to your favorite salad dressing or beverage.

Honey on the other hand, is a pollinated nomad, taking on various flavors and hues depending on where the bees have buzzed off to. From floral and fruity to woody and smoky, honey has it all. The color spectrum is vast, from nearly transparent to a deep golden brown, and the flavor transforms alongside the gradient, with darker varieties delivering a richer and more robust taste.

When you team up the flavors of these sweeteners with the right food, well, let's just say it's a match made in culinary heaven. Take, for example, the buttery, nutty flavor of roasted butternut squash. Or the tangy zing of a crumbly feta cheese. Add a drizzle of honey and they elevate each other to new heights of deliciousness.

Maple syrup is the perfect companion for rich chocolate desserts. The bold, complex notes of traditional Canadian syrup complements the rich, decadence of premium cocoa in the sweetest way possible. It's like they were destined to be together!

If baking isn't your thing, Hail Merry has you covered with an assortment of delicious treats like Caramel Sea Salt Coconut Cookie Dough, Chocolate Almond Butter Cups, and Dark Chocolate Tarts - all sweetened with maple syrup and ready to eat!

Maple Syrup vs. Honey: Flavor

Maple syrup and honey may both satisfy your sweet tooth, but they're more different than you might expect when it comes to flavor. While honey is all about that floral goodness, maple syrup brings a complexity of flavor with hints of sugary caramel. It's like the difference between a sweet kiss and a sweet, sweet embrace.

Maple syrup is like a fine wine - her color and flavor are dependent on a multitude of factors, including the weather, collection methods, and boiling time. The darker the syrup, the more bold and intense the flavor, perfect for recipes that require an extra oomph of sweetness.

Conversely, the golden and amber syrups offer a more gentle and mild taste, ideal for topping off any dish, or giving a little extra sweetness to your favorite salad dressing or beverage.

Honey on the other hand, is a pollinated nomad, taking on various flavors and hues depending on where the bees have buzzed off to. From floral and fruity to woody and smoky, honey has it all. The color spectrum is vast, from nearly transparent to a deep golden brown, and the flavor transforms alongside the gradient, with darker varieties delivering a richer and more robust taste.

When you team up the flavors of these sweeteners with the right food, well, let's just say it's a match made in culinary heaven. Take, for example, the buttery, nutty flavor of roasted butternut squash. Or the tangy zing of a crumbly feta cheese. Add a drizzle of honey and they elevate each other to new heights of deliciousness.

Maple syrup is the perfect companian for rich chocolate desserts. The bold, complex notes of traditional Canadian syrup complements the rich, decadence of premium cocoa in the sweetest way possible. It's like they were destined to be together!

If baking isnt your thing, Hail Merry has you covered with an assortment of delicious treats like Caramel Sea Salt Coconut Cookie Dough, Chocolate Almond Butter Cups, and Dark Chocolate Tarts - all sweetened with maple syrup and ready to eat!

Maple Syrup vs. Honey: Flavor

Maple syrup and honey may both satisfy your sweet tooth, but they're more different than you might expect when it comes to flavor. While honey is all about that floral goodness, maple syrup brings a complexity of flavor with hints of sugary caramel. It's like the difference between a sweet kiss and a sweet, sweet embrace.

Maple syrup is like a fine wine - her color and flavor are dependent on a multitude of factors, including the weather, collection methods, and boiling time. The darker the syrup, the more bold and intense the flavor, perfect for recipes that require an extra oomph of sweetness. Conversely, the golden and amber syrups offer a more gentle and mild taste, ideal for topping off any dish, or giving a little extra sweetness to your favorite salad dressing or beverage.

Honey on the other hand, is a pollinated nomad, taking on various flavors and hues depending on where the bees have buzzed off to. From floral and fruity to woody and smoky, honey has it all. The color spectrum is vast, from nearly transparent to a deep golden brown, and the flavor transforms alongside the gradient, with darker varieties delivering a richer and more robust taste.

When you team up the flavors of these sweeteners with the right food, well, let's just say it's a match made in culinary heaven. Take, for example, the buttery, nutty flavor of roasted butternut squash. Or the tangy zing of a crumbly feta cheese. Add a drizzle of honey and they elevate each other to new heights of deliciousness.

Maple syrup is the perfect companian for rich chocolate desserts. The bold, complex notes of traditional Canadian syrup complements the rich, decadence of premium cocoa in the sweetest way possible. It's like they were destined to be together!

If baking isnt your thing, Hail Merry has you covered with an assortment of delicious treats like Caramel Sea Salt Coconut Cookie Dough, Chocolate Almond Butter Cups, and Dark Chocolate Tarts - all sweetened with maple syrup and ready to eat!

Maple Syrup vs. Honey: Nutrition Facts

It’s clear that maple syrup and honey have a rich history and sweet flavor, but which one comes out on top nutritionally? Well, it's like comparing Batman and Superman—they both have their unique strengths. Maple syrup has the upper hand when it comes to minerals, boasting higher levels of manganese, iron, and calcium. However, honey takes the cake (or honeycomb) when it comes to antioxidants and antibacterial properties.

Tablespoon for tablespoon, maple syrup contains slightly fewer calories, carbohydrates, and sugar compared to honey:

	Maple Syrup	Honey
Calories	50g	61g
Fat	0g	0g
Carbohydrates	13.25g	16.5g
Fiber	0g	0.04g
Sugar	13.25g	16.4g
Protein	0g	0.06g

In reality, the battle of nutrition facts between maple syrup and honey is a draw. Both are delicious, and give you a healthy dose of nutrients with every serving.

Maple Syrup vs. Honey: Nutrition Facts

It’s clear that maple syrup and honey have a rich history and sweet flavor, but which one comes out on top nutritionally? Well, it's like comparing Batman and Superman—they both have their unique strengths. Maple syrup has the upper hand when it comes to minerals, boasting higher levels of manganese, iron, and calcium. However, honey takes the cake (or honeycomb) when it comes to antioxidants and antibacterial properties.

Tablespoon for tablespoon, maple syrup contains slightly fewer calories, carbohydrates, and sugar compared to honey:

	Maple Syrup	Honey
Calories	50g	61g
Fat	0g	0g
Carbohydrates	13.25g	16.5g
Fiber	0g	0.04g
Sugar	13.25g	16.4g
Protein	0g	0.06g

In reality, the battle of nutrition facts between maple syrup and honey is a draw. Both are delicious, and give you a healthy dose of nutrients with every serving.

Maple Syrup vs. Honey: Nutrition Facts

It’s clear that maple syrup and honey have a rich history and sweet flavor, but which one comes out on top nutritionally? Well, it's like comparing Batman and Superman—they both have their unique strengths.

Maple syrup has the upper hand when it comes to minerals, boasting higher levels of manganese, iron, and calcium. However, honey takes the cake (or honeycomb) when it comes to antioxidants and antibacterial properties.

Tablespoon for tablespoon, maple syrup contains slightly fewer calories, carbohydrates, and sugar compared to honey:

	Maple Syrup	Honey
Calories	50g	61g
Fat	0g	0g
Carbohydrates	13.25g	16.5g
Fiber	0g	0.04g
Sugar	13.25g	16.4g
Protein	0g	0.06g

In reality, the battle of nutrition facts between maple syrup and honey is a draw. Both are delicious, and give you a healthy dose of nutrients with every serving.

Maple Syrup vs. Honey: Health Benefits

Maple syrup and honey may be sweethearts, but they have different sugar molecules up their sleeves.

Maple syrup is mostly made up of sucrose, while honey is a blend of fructose and glucose. But who cares about sugar types, right? Well, we all should, because they impact our blood sugar in different ways. And let's be real, steady blood sugar is essential for keeping us from turning into hangry monsters.

Plus, it helps to reduce the risk of bummer health problems like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. That's why monitoring a food's glycemic index (GI) score - a measure of how quick it increases your blood sugar - is so important.

Fortunately, both maple syrup and honey have GI scores that won't lead to a sugar-induced rollercoaster ride. Maple syrup has a GI of 54, and honey ranks at 58. Keep in mind, the lower the score, the less of a blood sugar spike you'll experience.

Maple Syrup vs. Honey: Health Benefits

Maple syrup and honey may be sweethearts, but they have different sugar molecules up their sleeves.

Maple syrup is mostly made up of sucrose, while honey is a blend of fructose and glucose. But who cares about sugar types, right? Well, we all should, because they impact our blood sugar in different ways. And let's be real, steady blood sugar is essential for keeping us from turning into hangry monsters.

Plus, it helps to reduce the risk of bummer health problems like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. That's why monitoring a food's glycemic index (GI) score - a measure of how quick it increases your blood sugar - is so important.

Fortunately, both maple syrup and honey have GI scores that won't lead to a sugar-induced rollercoaster ride. Maple syrup has a GI of 54, and honey ranks at 58. Keep in mind, the lower the score, the less of a blood sugar spike you'll experience.

Maple Syrup vs. Honey: Health Benefits

Maple syrup and honey may be sweethearts, but they have different sugar molecules up their sleeves.

Maple syrup is mostly made up of sucrose, while honey is a blend of fructose and glucose. But who cares about sugar types, right? Well, we all should, because they impact our blood sugar in different ways. And let's be real, steady blood sugar is essential for keeping us from turning into hangry monsters.

Plus, it helps to reduce the risk of bummer health problems like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. That's why monitoring a food's glycemic index (GI) score - a measure of how quick it increases your blood sugar - is so important.

Fortunately, both maple syrup and honey have GI scores that won't lead to a sugar-induced rollercoaster ride. Maple syrup has a GI of 54, and honey ranks at 58. Keep in mind, the lower the score, the less of a blood sugar spike you'll experience.

The Bottom Line

After looking at the health advantages, flavors, and nutrient profiles of maple syrup and honey, it's clear that both are great natural sweeteners.

With an incredible range of flavors and health benefits, each has something to offer! However, if you're keeping an eye on your waistline, maple syrup may be the better choice with fewer calories and carbs than honey. Plus, it's got some sweet essential minerals that honey can't compete with.

No matter which one you choose, both are much sweeter alternatives to regular table sugar. Whether you swirl your pancakes in golden honey or coat them in thick maple syrup, you can’t go wrong!

Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below!

Sharon Lehman, RD is a dietitian and health and nutrition writer. She earned a Bachelors degree in Dietetics from the University of Delaware and is a certified holistic health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She has over 10 years experience as a dietitian and 5 years experience authoring evidence-based wellness content for various publications. She also specializes in culinary nutrition, recipe development, and food photography. You can view more of her work on her blog, Heart and Stove.

References:

The Bottom Line

After looking at the health advantages, flavors, and nutrient profiles of maple syrup and honey, it's clear that both are great natural sweeteners.

With an incredible range of flavors and health benefits, each has something to offer! However, if you're keeping an eye on your waistline, maple syrup may be the better choice with fewer calories and carbs than honey. Plus, it's got some sweet essential minerals that honey can't compete with.

No matter which one you choose, both are much sweeter alternatives to regular table sugar. Whether you swirl your pancakes in golden honey or coat them in thick maple syrup, you can’t go wrong!

Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below!

Sharon Lehman, RD is a dietitian and health and nutrition writer. She earned a Bachelors degree in Dietetics from the University of Delaware and is a certified holistic health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She has over 10 years experience as a dietitian and 5 years experience authoring evidence-based wellness content for various publications. She also specializes in culinary nutrition, recipe development, and food photography. You can view more of her work on her blog, Heart and Stove.

References:

The Bottom Line

After looking at the health advantages, flavors, and nutrient profiles of maple syrup and honey, it's clear that both are great natural sweeteners.

With an incredible range of flavors and health benefits, each has something to offer! However, if you're keeping an eye on your waistline, maple syrup may be the better choice with fewer calories and carbs than honey. Plus, it's got some sweet essential minerals that honey can't compete with.

No matter which one you choose, both are much sweeter alternatives to regular table sugar. Whether you swirl your pancakes in golden honey or coat them in thick maple syrup, you can’t go wrong!

Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below!

Sharon Lehman, RD is a dietitian and health and nutrition writer. She earned a Bachelors degree in Dietetics from the University of Delaware and is a certified holistic health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She has over 10 years experience as a dietitian and 5 years experience authoring evidence-based wellness content for various publications. She also specializes in culinary nutrition, recipe development, and food photography. You can view more of her work on her blog, Heart and Stove.

References: