Do I refrigerate maple syrup after opening?
YES! This is one of the most frequently asked questions by our customers! Maple syrup can be stored indefinitely when unopened, but once you open it, it must be refrigerated.
Is your maple syrup gluten, preservative and BPA free?
Yes. Our maple syrup is gluten free, contains no added sugars, flavors or preservatives and is bottled in wax sealed nordic glass bottles.
How long does maple syrup last after opening?
Refrigerated maple syrup will keep for a long time after opening. For the best quality, we recommend enjoying it within 12–18 months. Always check for changes in appearance, smell, or taste before using.
Can maple syrup go bad?
Yes. While 100% pure maple syrup has a very long shelf life, it can develop mold if it is left unrefrigerated after opening. If you notice mold, an off smell, or anything unusual, discard the syrup. When in doubt, it’s best to replace it.
Can I freeze maple syrup?
Yes! Pure maple syrup can be frozen. Leave some room at the top of the container for expansion, and thaw it in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
What is the difference between Amber, Dark, and Very Dark maple syrup?
The color and flavor of maple syrup naturally deepen as the sugaring season progresses. We use the same wood-fired evaporation process for every grade—the difference comes primarily from the chemistry of the sap as the season changes. As the season progresses, the composition of the sap naturally shifts, including its levels of sugars, amino acids, organic acids, and other compounds. During boiling, these compounds undergo chemical reactions, including Maillard reactions and caramelization, which create the deeper color and increasingly rich, complex flavors found in darker syrups.
Amber | Rich is lighter and more delicate, making it wonderful for drizzling over pancakes, waffles, yogurt, oatmeal, and fresh fruit.
Dark | Robust has deeper caramel notes and a richer maple flavor, making it especially delicious for pancakes and waffles, baking, marinades, and sauces.
Very Dark | Strong is our boldest syrup, with a rich, concentrated maple flavor that is especially wonderful for baking, cooking, cocktails, and savory applications like BBQ sauces and glazes.
Is your maple syrup organic?
Our maple syrup is not certified organic. We do, however, take a thoughtful, long-term approach to caring for the forest that produces our syrup. We do not use pesticides or herbicides in our maple production or anywhere on our farm, and our goal is to maintain a healthy, diverse forest that can continue to thrive for generations. We also do not tap roadside trees and keep motorized vehicle use to designated forest trails.
Our maple operation is designed to work with the natural ecosystem rather than against it. We carefully manage our sugarbush to protect the health of the trees, maintain forest diversity, and preserve habitat for the birds and wildlife that call our land home. We believe that producing maple syrup responsibly means looking beyond the harvest itself and considering the long-term health of the entire forest.
Laurel & Ash Farm is proud to be an Audubon New York Certified Bird-Friendly Maple Producer, recognizing our commitment to forest management practices that support healthy habitat and bird populations.Thoughtful stewardship of the land is at the heart of how we farm.
What is Barrel Aged Maple Vinegar?
Our Barrel Aged Maple Vinegar is a blend of our Hudson Valley apple cider and 100% pure, Grade A maple syrup. Slowly fermented and aged in toasted oak barrels for more than six months, it develops a naturally rich, sweet-tart character reminiscent of a balsamic, with the distinct flavors of the Hudson Valley. It is bright and acidic, but rounded by the natural sweetness of maple and depth from the oak.
How do I use Maple Vinegar?
Maple Vinegar is incredibly versatile. Its balance of acidity and natural sweetness makes it wonderful in vinaigrettes, marinades, sauces, and glazes, as well as drizzled over roasted vegetables, grains, and fruit salads. It can also be used to add brightness and complexity to cocktails and other drinks. Maple Vinegar can also be added to our pancake mix.
What is Barrel Aged Apple Cider Vinegar?
Our Barrel Aged Apple Cider Vinegar begins with fresh-pressed cider from Hudson Valley apples. The cider is slowly fermented into vinegar and then aged in New York State white oak barrels for more than six months, developing a bright, crisp acidity with depth and complexity from the apples and oak.
Does your Vinegar contain the mother?
Yes. Our Maple Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar are unfiltered and unpasteurized, so they naturally contains the mother—the collection of beneficial bacteria and other compounds that develop during the fermentation process. You may notice some natural sediment or cloudiness in the bottle; this is completely normal.
What makes your Heirloom Grain Pancake Mix different?
Our Heirloom Grain Pancake Mix is made with whole organic New York Einkorn and Red Wheat, 100% stone-ground by local craft mills. The grains come from local farmers practicing regenerative agriculture, and we add maple sugar pearls for little pockets of maple sweetness throughout the pancakes. The result is a flavorful, tender pancake with the character of freshly milled heirloom grains.
What do I need to make the pancakes?
Just add milk, eggs, and melted butter or oil. For especially light and fluffy pancakes, we recommend adding Laurel & Ash Farm Barrel Aged Maple Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar to the milk and letting the batter rest for 5–10 minutes before cooking.
Can I make the pancakes without vinegar?
Absolutely. The vinegar helps create a particularly light and fluffy pancake, but you can substitute an equal amount of milk or water if you prefer.
What is your shipping policy?
Laurel & Ash Farm ships from New York via USPS Ground Advantage, USPS Priority Mail, or UPS Ground mail with adequate insurance and tracking, using compostable and eco-friendly, non-plastic packaging. It is important to us that you absolutely love your Laurel & Ash Farm purchase, however because of the consumable nature of our products, we cannot accept returns at this time.
Domestic
Domestic orders will ship USPS or UPS unless another shipping method is requested. Additional shipping fees may be incurred.
International
International orders ship via UPS International Saver service. International shipping is not currently available at checkout, but we’re happy to arrange it for you. Please email us at hello@laurelandash.farm for an international shipping quote.
International customers are responsible for all duties, taxes, and brokerage fees associated with delivery. Please note that international shipping times are estimates and are not guaranteed by Laurel & Ash Farm. We are not responsible for delays caused by customs, packages held by customs officials, or packages lost or damaged after leaving the United States.
What is you return policy?
We take great care in packaging each order and hope you absolutely love what you receive. Due to the consumable nature of our products, we are unable to accept returns at this time. We kindly ask that you open your package upon delivery and inspect your items carefully. While breakage is rare, if anything arrives damaged or if you received the wrong product, please notify us at hello@laurelandash.farm within 7 days so we can arrange a replacement.
Do you offer local pickup?
Definitely. Select ‘On Farm Pickup’ at checkout to save on shipping and pick up on the farm. Please allow 24 hours notice for all on farm pickups.
Can I visit the farm or shop in person?
We’re not currently an open farm and do not have an onsite farm store or farm stand. However, farm pickup is available for online orders! Simply select the farm pickup option at checkout, and we’ll have your order ready for you at Laurel & Ash Farm in Holmes, New York. We’ll send you pickup details once your order is ready.
Please note that we are not currently able to accommodate unscheduled visits or walk-in purchases.
How do I order wholesale?
Email us at hello@laurelandash.farm for wholesale inquires or find us on Faire.
Any other questions?
Feel free to email us at:
hello@laurelandash.farm
or call us at:
917.294.5058