Unscientific poll, light or dark? (not a racist question)

[Scm]

..........

[Ghs57]

Welcome to the dark side. There is no way back from here, and nothing will ever be the same again.

[motowbrowne]

I prefer dark syrup too, but the stuff we've made so far this year sure has been tasty. Has such a nice sweet smell and caramel flavor. I wouldn't be able to sell it to my customers (they all want dark), but I'll set some aside for myself and other people that I know will like it.

[Galena]

Same here. I have a brother who loves black syrup, as in so dark and heavy it has the texture of molasses. Haven't produced it for awhile though. Batches 1-3 are usually golden in colour and have vanilla/marshmallow in flavour so not *maple-y* enough for many, so I tend to use it in smoothies, on ice cream etc. Batches 4-5 are red/amber and have developed the expected maple notes, so to me they're pretty unintersting, so I give em away to clients and friends. Batch 6 + (depending on season) usually start to get brown sugar and molasses, so keep them for making into sugar and baking with.

[Snappyssweets]

I prefer the darker.
The lighter has too mild of a flavor and tends to be sweeter and thus I am not fond of it. The darker stuff I get though also seems to take on a buttery flavor almost as if its a Maple Aunt Jemima :P nothing like a butter maple especially when you turn it into candy or on french toast. :D

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Dark or very dark for me mostly but I like a medium here and there. I don't care for golden at all. The majority of our customers like the darker syrup but we do sell all grades.

[maple flats]

Dark on everything except vanilla ice cream, there I like amber better.

[buck3m]

Dark for me. I don't think I've ever had someone ask for light but many people want dark.

[michael marrs]

I am starting to like dark better, but I have also got this respect for the beauty of amber gold, actually, I like it all

[littleTapper]

All of the above. I get quite a variety of flavors and color out of my trees through the season....And they're all great. I do prefer making maple cream with lighter syrup though.

[Tweegs]

We sell roughly 100 gallons a year at our little market.
We average:
75 dark
15 medium
7 very dark
3 light

Our home use is a blend.
Whatever little bit is left over when we bottle goes into “our” jar, no matter the grade.
Personally, I prefer a medium, but will take whatever is set in front of me.

[Stiets]

Dark robust syrup.

[Johnny t]

More and more of my customers are asking for dark. I prefer it as well as it has a more nutty, and stronger maple flavor. Once you go dark the lighter stuff isn't as good. The golden stuff usually has a caramel flavor to it and can sometimes entice newbies by its color, but eventually I think seasoned consumers all end up on the dark side in my experience.

[Moser's Maple]

The lighter the better cause that's where I make the most profit

[berkshires]

Dark. The light stuff is kinda fun just for a change. But once you've had it a few times, meh. If I want maple, I want MAPLE.

Gabe

[Bruce L]

I prefer the light,my wife like the medium,I don't tell customers which I prefer anymore,as they all tended to swing my way,so now I just explain the flavor differences.

[Johnny t]

The lighter the better cause that's where I make the most profit
Funny you should say that. Traditionally that's the way it is, but I've heard of some producers getting a premium for dark because higher demand.

[Burnt sap]

Heavy dark syrup that stays where you pour it.;)

[SlopYourDripper]

I like it all, but if I have a choice, dark please! And so it is with my coffee beans, beer, chocolate, brown sugar, soy sauce, etc....
The old Grade B was my favorite. I know it's called Dark or Robust now, but I'd like to find some Very Dark! Anybody in NH making any this season?

[Trapper2]

16057
Just like this.

[Tapline]

Nice and Dark!!

[Moser's Maple]

Funny you should say that. Traditionally that's the way it is, but I've heard of some producers getting a premium for dark because higher demand.

well all of our lighter grade syrup goes into confections, so that's where we get our premium price

[SDdave]

Light, sweet delicate light syrup.

SDdave

[Sunday Rock Maple]

A perimeter of medium, around the pancakes, create.

[stoweski]

Dark. As dark as molasses. I add it to my coffee every morning.

[Drew Pond Maple]

I add it to my coffee every morning.Same here. In the last 5 years I have had syrup in my coffee everyday.
I do prefer the darker grades, but that seems to be all that I make lately