Final answer:
Pure maple syrup is mostly composed of sucrose with small amounts of glucose and fructose. Sucrose, a constant composition substance, makes up the high sugar content of syrup, which also has a high viscosity. While the US sugar price is kept high, maple syrup remains a natural sugar source with additional nutrients.
Step-by-step explanation:
The composition of pure maple syrup is primarily sugar in the form of sucrose, along with small amounts of other sugars like glucose and fructose. Sucrose is a pure organic compound commonly known as table sugar, and it is extracted from sugar cane and sugar beets. The process involves evaporation and recrystallization, leading to the creation of molasses aside from the crystallized sugar. Maple syrup has a high viscosity, making it flow more slowly compared to other liquids such as juice.
Pure substances like sucrose have a constant composition, with sucrose having 42.1% carbon, 6.5% hydrogen, and 51.4% oxygen by mass, and possessing consistent physical properties such as melting point, color, and sweetness. While the US government maintains high sugar prices through price floors and import quotas, pure maple syrup is not just made of sugars but is valued for its natural origin and unique taste. Maple syrup also contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, making it different from products like high-fructose corn syrup, which can be a cost-effective alternative but has faced criticism over potential health effects.