grading question

[thackerymaple]

does anyone know how wide the bottles are on the USDA grading set? Just for my personal curiosity, I'm just small time and do not sell any (none to sell after the family and friends get there's) I have a color sheet but holding it up to a pint mason jar the syrup looks like a dark amber, If I put some in a shot glass it looks more like the light amber on the chart. Which makes sense the thicker the container the less light. Thought about buying a set till I read about changing the system. Thanks

[Scribner's Mountain Maple]

The grading bottles are around 1.25 to 1.5 inch wide. Stick with the shot glass...

[Russell Lampron]

The shot glass will work the best for what you are trying to do. A VT temporary grading kit is $18 at Bascoms. The sample bottles are available separately as well if you just want to get a couple of those. The kit would be a must have if you were selling your syrup.

[thackerymaple]

Thanks and hope you have a good season

[maple flats]

For self and friends, just don't grade it. Call it "maple syrup".
To grade it you need a grading set, and you need to hold it up to good light such as a good sky or bright florescent lights. A color chart could give you a wrong reading and get you in trouble, but ungraded will not get you in trouble.