PRODUCT: Maple Water

June 22, 2014 at 8:40 am · Filed under Beverages

Be on the lookout for maple water, the
newest maple product from Canada. Photo
courtesy Wahta.

Following the galloping success of coconut water, the next “tree water” to hit the market is maple water, made from the sap of the maple tree.

Maple water is actually pure maple sap that is tapped in the spring—a fleeting opportunity that produces a fresh drink that is clear as water, yet full of natural nutrients. In the spring, the tree water has not yet thickened into the sap that will be boiled down for maple syrup later in the year (trivia: it takes 40 gallons of maple sap to make one gallon of maple syrup!).

Maple water is a healthy choice for hydration, with 47 essential vitamins and minerals including potassium, manganese and zinc; as well as amino acids, polyphenols (antioxidants) and phytohormones. These properties make it an excellent thirst quencher for athletes and others.

Maple water is naturally low in sugar and has only 20 calories per serving size (8.45 ounces/250 ml), compared to an average of 50 calories for the same serving size of coconut water. It is all natural, fat and cholesterol free.

Just as coconut water has the delicate flavor of coconut, maple water has the delicate flavor of maple.

It has long been consumed by native tribes, but has been recently commercialized ato provide added revenue for maple syrup producers. Maple water has been available for two years in Canada, and is beginning to find its way into the U.S. (and to be produced by maple growers in the U.S.).

To ensure authenticity and quality, The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers has implemented a program called NAPSI certification, for harvesting and bottling. The name is an acronym for:

Natural, produced by maple trees

Authentic, the same sap found in the trees themselves

Pure, no added agents or ingredients

Sterile, free of microorganisms

Integral, not from concentrate, unrefined and with all the original compounds provided by nature

International producers of maple water are welcome to apply for certification.

USES FOR MAPLE WATER

Maple water can be enjoyed from the carton for thirst-quenching or rehydrating, as a simple drink with ice cubes.

It is also becoming popular as an ingredient in recipes. When used in cooking, it gives foods a fine, delicately scented and slightly sweet flavor, and imparts a unique and distinctive character with a subtle hint of sweetness to cocktails, drinks and smoothies. Some suggestions:

To make coffee or tea

To prepare cocktails, mocktails and ice cubes

To poach meat, fish or seafood

To cook vegetables

To make smoothies or sorbets

To advantageously replace sweet fruit juices

To make sauces or deglaze

To make broths and soups

Recipes are available on ILoveMaple.ca.

carrot-puree-maple-water-ilovemaple.ca-230r

Carrot purée made with maple water. Here’s the recipe. Photo courtesy ILoveMaple.ca.

We received samples of a brand called Wahta Pure Maple Water. Wahta, which coincidentally sounds like “water,” is the word for the sugar maple tree in the language of Canada’s First Nations people, whose longtime use of it as a tonic inspired commercial production.

Other Canadian brands include Maple 3, Ovivia and Seva. U.S. brands include Drink Water, Happy Tree and Vertical Water.

If maple water takes off like coconut water has, retailers will have to hang additional shelves from the ceiling!

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