Maple Syrup: Fridge or Pantry?
Here in Maine, one of our first signs of spring is the flow of sap from maple trees, as the days warm up to above freezing while the nighttime temperatures stay chilly. Maine Maple Weekend, which is always the fourth weekend in March, is our chance to get out to maple producers’ farms, tromp down their muddy roads, and enjoy some Maine maple syrup. I always pick up a quart to last me at least until fair season when I can buy more. I like to enjoy it on pancakes and as a sweetener in my homemade granola and baked goods.
Maple Syrup Storage Recommendations
Since I’m not from Maine, I still remember how I learned the hard way that maple syrup needs to be refrigerated after opening to keep it from going bad. I grew up eating “pancake syrup,” or flavored corn syrup that’s less expensive than maple syrup. So I had no idea that maple syrup couldn’t be stored in the pantry once it has been opened without the risk of mold developing. As a result, I had a gross experience where I poured some maple syrup out onto my food and a big mat of mold flopped out too. Shudder.
Now I faithfully keep my maple syrup in the fridge after I open it—after all, it’s not cheap, and I don’t want to run the risk of mold developing in my precious liquid gold. You may have heard that if your maple syrup grows mold, it’s okay to remove the mold and boil the remaining syrup to make it safe again. My food safety and maple colleagues actually researched this practice and found that there are still mycotoxins (aka toxins from mold) that can survive the boiling process. Consuming mycotoxins can make you sick in the short term and even have long-term health consequences. So, should you discover mold growing on your maple syrup, unfortunately, we recommend discarding the syrup.
A downside of keeping the syrup in the fridge is, of course, that it’s cold. When it comes time to use my syrup on pancakes or waffles, I simply heat up what I plan to use on the stovetop to take the refrigerator’s chill off.
Visit a Farm for Maine Maple Weekend
If you’re looking to participate in Maine Maple Weekend (March 21-22, 2026) The Maine Maple Producers Association has a map where you can find your nearest maple producer welcoming visitors to the farm. While true spring is still a ways off here in Maine, it’s nice to have this sweet taste of warmer weather to let us know that we’ve almost made it through another winter.
Resources
- Maine Maple Sunday Weekend – Maine Maple Producers Association
- Microbial Contamination in Maple Syrup – Maple Research
Author
Kate McCarty has been the Food Systems Professional at University of Maine Cooperative Extension since 2009, after serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA. She has completed the Master Food Preserver program, an intensive, hands-on training in all aspects of home food preservation. Kate manages the volunteer efforts of the 60+ Master Food Preserver volunteers and teaches food preservation programs in 6 Maine counties.