# Smoky Maple Syrups Sugar Bob’s Finest Kind Infuses Its Maple Syrup with Hardwood Smoke By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-07-22 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smoky-maple References: [sugarbobsfinestkind](http://www.sugarbobsfinestkind.com/store/p1/Smoked_Maple_Syrup_-250_ml_bottle.html) & [wsj](http://www.wsj.com/articles/maple-syrup-breaks-away-from-breakfast-1468950030) [Smoky](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/savory-gin-spirit) maple flavors have been a winning combination for years in the food industry, but [Sugar Bob’s Finest Kind](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/releeese-chocolate) is blending them together in a unique way. Sugar Bob’s Finest Kind makes a dark maple syrup and infuses it with hardwood smoke, creating a syrup that can be used as an addition for everything from mayonnaise to oysters and shrimp cocktail sauces. To encourage consumers to think of this product as more than just a pancake flavoring agent, it's packaged like a steak sauce. Sugar Bob’s Finest Kind's Robert Hausslein says: "At breakfast it can be a sweetener but for the rest of the day it’s a savory extender." Successful harvests in the maple syrup industry have created space for plenty of experimentation, particularly when it comes to rebranding maple syrup as a food item that can be used outside of breakfast. Maple syrup is also gaining recognition as a healthy and highly flavorful natural sweetener. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.8/10 - Popularity: 11% | Activity: 4% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Smoky Maple Flavors:** Opportunity for developing new food products with unique smoky maple flavor profiles. - **Rebranding Maple Syrup:** Potential to position maple syrup as a versatile ingredient for savory dishes. - **Healthy Natural Sweeteners:** Growing demand for healthier alternatives to traditional sweeteners creates opportunities for maple syrup as a natural option. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Food and Beverage:** Food manufacturers can leverage the trend of smoky maple flavors to create innovative products across various categories. - **Packaging:** Packaging companies have an opportunity to design unique packaging solutions that align with the rebranding of maple syrup as a savory ingredient. - **Health and Wellness:** Health and wellness industry can tap into the demand for natural sweeteners by promoting maple syrup as a healthier alternative. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cannabis-Flavored Maple Syrups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barrel-aged-maple-syrup.md) - [Maple Syrup-Flavored Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canadian-maple-syrup-soda.md) - [Maple-Flavored Tin Meats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spam-maple-flavored.md) - [Maple Syrup-Inspired Apple Brandies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brandy-maple.md) - [Sustainable Hickory Syrups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hickory-syrup.md) - [Accessible International Maple Syrups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organic-maple-syrups.md) - [Maple Fusion Hot Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fusion-hot-sauce.md) - [Maple Syrup-Infused Stouts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seasonal-stout.md) - [Maple Syrup Awareness Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bill-the-maple.md)