Step away from the sugar bowl. Our local honey and maple syrup boast benefits that make them smarter sweetener choices.
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When it comes to everyday sweetening, honey and maple syrup are often overlooked in favor of sugar—or those little multicolored packets of sweetener. But these products, abundantly produced in Northern Michigan, deserve a closer look.
“Honey and maple syrup are more than just sweeteners—they’re a powerhouse of nutrients,” says Jill Balla, D.C., a chiropractor with a focus on using nutrition as a therapeutic toolto help the body heal naturally. “They bring in essential stuff like B vitamins and minerals like zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium and manganese.”
And, Balla says, both are loaded with antioxidants—which can help protect your body against diseases like cancer and heart disease—and thanks to lower scores on the Glycemic Index, both are easier on blood glucose than table sugar. “Just to put things in perspective, regular sugar is 65 on the Glycemic Index, while maple syrup and honey clock in at 54 and 20, respectively,” Balla says.
While maple syrup (make sure you’re getting real, 100 percent maple syrup and not the goopy corn syrup in the lady-shaped bottle) has a higher mineral content than honey, honey boasts an additional benefit: Research has shown it can help keep you from sniffling and sneezing during allergy season. “Local raw honey is a secret weapon against seasonal allergies,” Balla says. “The bees work their magic, collecting local pollen and turning it into a food that helps your immune system recognize your environment as healthy.”
The first step to taking advantage of all that sweet, locally sourced goodness is swapping out regular sugar for honey or maple syrup, and not just on your peanut butter sandwiches and pancakes. Use it in salad dressings, drizzle over fresh fruit and cheese, or put a dollop in your coffee or tea—pretty much anything sugar can do, honey and maple syrup can do, too, with an extra infusion of flavor and nutrition. But don’t overdo it. “Honey and maple syrup will still spike your blood sugar, so less is better,” Balla says. “But they bring a whole lot more to the table than your average sugar.”
Even with all their delicious benefits, maple syrup and honey aren’t the best choice for everyone. If you’re dealing with pre-diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome or a fatty liver—all reasons you may not want to spike your blood glucose at all—consider Stevia or monk fruit, two non-caloric sweeteners derived from natural ingredients, Balla advises. And as for chemical-based artificial sweeteners (the kind in the little pink and blue packets)? Just don’t do it, she says. “Those are like a chemistry experiment gone wrong and are best avoided for the sake of your health.”
With a multitude of honey and maple syrup producers across Northern Michigan, shopping for your next spoonful of sweetener can be as easy as hitting up a nearby farmers market or roadside stand. Or seek out a farm that offers tours, so you can shop while also learning more about the process of tapping trees and befriending bees. Super sweet!
Where to Find Local Michigan Honey & Maple Syrup Products
With unique textures and flavors, these Northern Michigan–sourced maple syrup and honey products are anything but ordinary.
Harwood Gold | 230 Bridge St., Charlevoix
With varieties like bay leaf, chai spice, coffee bean and ghost pepper, infused maple syrups from Harwood Gold add a burst of unexpected flavor to your favorite beverages, salad dressings, desserts or grilled and roasted veggies and meats.
Grand Traverse Sauce Co. | 1125 E. Eighth St., Traverse City
Bring the heat! For The Love of Bees, from Traverse City–based Grand Traverse Sauce Co., packs a sweet-and-spicy surprise. This chili-infused honey, made with local honey sourced from Hilbert’s Honey Co. (also in Traverse City), is delicious drizzled over waffles or biscuits, as a delightfully daring dunk for fried chicken, or even mixed into cocktails.
The Sweet Spigot | View Sweet Spigot Locations
If you love the flavor of maple syrup but have wished for a more dunk-able consistency, maple cream from The Sweet Spigot—a family farm nestled in the Upper Peninsula—is your new best friend. Maple cream is maple syrup that’s been whipped to silky, spreadable perfection: Try as an add-on to your peanut butter toast or S’more, atop a Ritz cracker or as a fruit dip.