Eating Vermont Part 7: The Best Maple Syrup I've Ever Had

Unlike a report card, maple syrup is not best when marked "Grade A." In fact, Grade A Fancy is in Vermont commonly referred to as "tourist syrup." However, the stuff pictured above, which clocks in at Grade C, is the real deal.

Dark, strong and faintly bitter, which makes it much more interesting, this syrup is densely flavorful and packed with character. As Elise said, "When you taste it, you can understand how it came from a tree."

I've been told the darker grades are excellent for baking, but for now I can't seem to move beyond slurping it from the jar. Call it ingredient-based cooking.

If you're in the Northeast Kingdom, seek it out at the address on the label.