Grades and characteristics for maple syrup shall be as specified in (a) through (e):

1. (a) For “Grade A Golden Color, Delicate Taste” the following shall apply:

   1. (1) The syrup is clean and practically clear or better;
   2. (2) The color is golden;
   3. (3) The syrup is free from damage; and
   4. (4) The syrup might have a delicate flavor;

2. (b) For “Grade A Amber Color, Rich Taste” the following shall apply:

   1. (1) The syrup is clean and practically clear or better;
   2. (2) The color is amber;
   3. (3) The syrup is free from damage; and
   4. (4) The syrup might have a rich flavor;

3. (c) For “Grade A Dark, Robust Taste” the following shall apply:

   1. (1) The syrup is clean and practically clear or better;
   2. (2) The color is dark;
   3. (3) The syrup is free from damage; and
   4. (4) The syrup might have a robust flavor;

4. (d) For “Grade A Very Dark, Strong Taste” the following shall apply:

   1. (1) The syrup is clean and practically clear or better;
   2. (2) The color is very dark;
   3. (3) The syrup is free from damage; and
   4. (4) The syrup might have a strong flavor; and

5. (e) For “Processing Grade” the following shall apply:

   1. (1) The syrup is pure maple syrup that might have objectionable odors or flavors;
   2. (2) The syrup is not graded as Grade A;
   3. (3) The syrup is not placed in packaged maple syrup containers and is not to be sold, offered for sale, or exposed for sale as packaged maple syrup; and
   4. (4) The syrup is designated or labeled as “Processing Grade”.

Source. #1681, eff 1-1-81; ss by #2186, eff 12-10-82; ss by #2656, eff 3-23-84, EXPIRED 3-23-90 New. #4956, eff 10-19-90; EXPIRED 10-19-96 New. #6453, eff 2-15-97, EXPIRED: 2-15-05 New. #10744, eff 12-16-14 (from Agr 904.05); ss by #14225, eff 3-29-25 (formerly Agr 904.05)