Inquiring minds at the breakfast table want to know!
Maple syrup is synonymous with fall, when all of a sudden everything is flavored with the sweet stuff. It’s the culinary symbol of coziness and has been for decades, long before PSL came onto the scene. That said, in my house, maple syrup is always available because it’s the only accompaniment we all agree on for our pancakes. The maple syrup bottle, with its tiny little handle, is a staple at our breakfast table—and probably yours too, which is why you might want to buy it in bulk at Costco.
The good people at the warehouse membership club do make their very own Kirkland Signature maple syrup, but who’s actually behind it? And what makes it taste so darn good? These questions come up during my family’s morning meal more than you might think. Because as most Costco members know, while the retailer does do some of its own manufacturing, it often relies on other companies for the production of Kirkland products, for everything from hot dogs to ice cream to batteries. And trying to figure it out is like a guessing game!
Read on to find out who’s behind that sweet, sweet Kirkland maple syrup—and what makes it so ridiculously good.
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Who’s behind Costco’s maple syrup?
Coscto sources its maple syrup from two different companies: Citadelle and Lantic. Both businesses are based in Canada, which shouldn’t come as a big surprise. Canada produces roughly 70% of the maple syrup enjoyed across the globe!
Neither Citadelle nor Lantic’s maple syrup is exclusive to Costco. Lantic, also known as the Maple Treat Corporation, advertises on its website that customizes its private-label syrup for other retailers. The company even notes that its products are sold in 52 countries around the world under a number of different labels. Citadelle operates in a similar fashion.
Why is Costco’s maple syrup so good?
True to form, Costco sources only the best when putting its Kirkland label on products. Just look at its grass-fed butter from New Zealand. But there are some key elements involved here that make Kirkland maple syrup so darn good.
It’s 100% maple syrup
For a product to be called “100% maple syrup,” the only ingredient listed on the label should be maple syrup, which is the case for Costco’s variety. However people often confuse maple syrup and pancake syrup, which are two different things. Pancake syrup may contain maple flavoring, but it also includes a host of other ingredients, such as corn syrup, water, cellulose gum, caramel color and artificial flavors, among others.
It’s USDA-certified organic
You won’t find any chemicals in this stuff. Costco’s maple syrup is natural and organic. Bonus: Research has shown that maple syrup isn’t just tastier than refined sugar—it’s also better for you. Packed with minerals and natural plant compounds that protect your cells, it delivers sweetness without the same sharp spikes in blood sugar and insulin that come with corn syrup or white sugar.
The syrup boasts Grade A amber
The grading system for maple syrup is similar to the grading system you’ll find in schools. The Grade A designation means that this syrup meets the highest quality standards for commercial sale. The bottom line: You won’t find any off-flavors, odors or sediment.
It features a rich flavor
When you’re looking at different maple syrup bottles, you’ll notice that they often claim to have a “rich” or “robust” taste. A “rich” taste is typically associated with the amber color of the Kirkland variety syrup, whereas a “robust” one will feature a darker color. Most people consider the rich variety a more balanced middle ground, whereas robust is more intense.
What fancy brands is Costco’s maple syrup on par with?
There are a number of artisanal maple syrup brands out there that tout some seriously delicious maple syrup—and Kirkland maple syrup can stand up to those pretty well. A few that come to mind are Shady Maple Farms, Crown Maple and Butternut Mountain Farm.
What does Costco’s maple syrup cost?
Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup costs $14.99 for a 33.8-ounce jug. That breaks down to roughly 44 cents per ounce. By comparison, Kroger’s Simple Truth Organic Grade A Maple Syrup is $5.99 for an 8-ounce bottle, which is about 75 cents per ounce. And then, by contrast, you have Butternut Mountain Farm’s syrup that costs $11.99 for an 8.5-ounce bottle at World Market, breaking down to a whopping $1.41 per ounce.
If you go with a pancake syrup instead of pure maple syrup, there’s the classic Pearl Milling Company Original Syrup (formerly Aunt Jemima), which costs $4.99 at Target for a 24-ounce bottle. This comes out to about 21 cents per ounce. FYI, you’ll almost always find that pancake syrup is a lot cheaper than 100% maple syrup, since it’s a manufactured product and not the stuff that’s taken straight from the trees. In fact, Log Cabin Pancake Syrup is $4.89 for a 24-ounce bottle, which even beats the Pearl Milling Company’s price per ounce by just a hair. But again, it’s not technically maple syrup.
Is Costco maple syrup worth it?
Considering the price per ounce, the quality and, of course, the taste, we’d certainly say yes! And even though you have to buy a big old jug of it (33.2 ounces, which is around four times the amount of a regular bottle of maple syrup), it likely won’t go bad before you get the chance to devour every last drop. Once opened, maple syrup typically lasts in the fridge for a year or more. The natural sugars in the syrup act as a preservative, so it won’t expire fast.
Even better? If it’s left unopened, maple syrup can last indefinitely. But seriously, who is leaving that delicious jug of maple syrup unopened? Definitely not my family!
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Sources:
- Massachusetts Maple Producers Association: “How Maple Syrup Is Made”
- Government of Canada: “Maple syrup production and climate change: Does the future taste as sweet?”
- The Maple Treat Corporation: “Private Label for Retailers and Resellers”
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: “Maple Syrup: Chemical Analysis and Nutritional Profile, Health Impacts, Safety and Quality Control, and Food Industry Applications”
