MONTPELIER, Vt. -
Vermont's biggest money maker might be getting a new name. The grading system for maple syrup may be changing.
Maple makers will have a chance to weigh in on the proposed name change, but the Agency of Agriculture says if the plan does move forward, the new names will be clearer and more competitive.
Maple creemees, maple magnets, maple mooseheads and of course... maple syrup are all sold at the Morse Maple Shack in Montpelier. Burr Morse is an eighth generation sugar maker, who may have to learn some new names.
"They say you can't make an old dog learn new tricks," he joked.
To compete globally with other maple makers, law makers want universal names for the sweet stuff.
"For years its been very hard to understand the different grades, Vermont has one grading system, other U.S. states have a different one, Canada has a different one, but we're all selling to a global market," Maple Specialist for the Agency of Agriculture, Henry Marckres said.
Right now, unless you're a maple syrup expert or can have a taste test, the grades don't tell you much, the new system is designed to have the name tell you more about the flavor.
"This is fancy grade, the lightest in color and most delicate in flavor," Morse explained.
But if the names change... What Vermonters know as fancy, would be known worldwide as golden color - delicate taste. Grade A, medium amber would be called amber color, rich taste. Grade A, dark amber's label would be dark color, robust taste.
"And then Grade B, the darkest we have with the strongest maple flavor," Morse went on to say... would be called very dark color, strong taste.
"What makes the grades is strictly the weather," Morse said.
But in the end... "It doesn't matter what you call it, it's Vermont maple syrup, the best in the world," Morse added.
The first public meeting is on October 16th at the Legion in Middlebury. There will be three chances for sugar makers to give their opinions... then law makers will decide if the labels should change.
