Over the years, Shark Tank has introduced me to some pretty nifty gadgets, technology and treats. Seriously, who among us has not tried a Scrub Daddy sponge or debated the merits of a Squatty Potty (you know you have)?
Recently another product really grabbed my attention: Sap! This beverage company from Vermont takes seltzer—something we know and love—and puts a natural and good for you (!!!) spin on it using maple and birch sap. The second I saw this product, the maple-lover in me knew I had to try it along with a few of my Taste of Home pals.
What Are Sap! Drinks?
But before we get into the testing, let me just break down what Sap! is for those of you who didn’t tune into Shark Tank. Sap!—yep, there’s an exclamation mark in there—is made of 100% Vermont maple or birch sap that’s been carbonated; no water or sugar added.
While these drinks aren’t zero calories like their sparkling water competition, they do offer a lot more than your typical seltzer—most notably they’re packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. I’d say that that added mineral boost is worth the 25 to 80 calories that each can holds.
What Does Sap! Taste Like?
Alright now, for the testing! I grabbed a handful of friends—soda lovers, seltzer lovers and maple lovers—to see how Sap! stacks up.
Sap! Maple Seltzer
Our first foray into Sap! was their trademark maple seltzer. Before we even cracked open a can, we were all pretty excited. This product’s label boasted a lot of benefits: certified organic, GMO-free, gluten-free, only 9 grams of sugar (for comparison, most sodas have around 40), 40 calories and a whole host of nutritional benefits like antioxidants and minerals.
Of course, we also took note of the product’s pretty, minimalist packaging.
When it came to the taste, though, don’t expect a big punch of maple flavor. Instead, this seltzer offers just a whisper of maple, the same way flavored sparkling waters only offer a hint of lime or grapefruit.
My testing crew did really like this light taste, though. Most of us found it to be really refreshing and just slightly sweet—enough to satisfy a mild sugar craving without going overboard.
Bottom line: Refreshing and outdoorsy. We’d drink this again!
Sap! Maple Soda
While we all generally liked the seltzer option, a few of us wanted a bit more maple flavor—enter Sap! maple soda. Made of the same ingredients as its seltzer cousin, the soda variation contains the same healthy vitamins and minerals (thiamin, manganese and riboflavin, to name a few), but has a much more concentrated maple flavor.
Now, when I say this, don’t think that Sap!’s soda is as potent as your favorite maple syrup. Rather it had a pleasant, mellow maple flavor. A few of the testers compared it to a really mild cream soda, and I think that’s a pretty apt comparison.
That had us all thinking of the great possibilities for this soda: floats, mixers (it would be great with bourbon!) or even a healthier alternative to your traditional sodas. With only 80 calories, 18 grams of sugar, zero caffeine and 100% organic ingredients, it’s a pretty great substitute for those looking for a healthier version of a sweet treat.
Bottom line: Great mild sweetness. A terrific substitute for soda that we feel good about drinking ourselves and giving to our kids.
Sap! Birch Seltzer
Rounding out the Sap! offering was their sparkling birch water beverage. This flavor definitely stands out from the rest, first and foremost because it’s birch (not maple), but also because it offers nutritional and health benefits different from the maple varieties.
The packaging says that birch sap’s “unique combination of minerals, amino and organic acids… can help boost immunity, fight fatigue and detoxify the body.” Well, that sounded pretty good to us—especially at just 25 calories.
Unfortunately, the flavor didn’t quite match those amazing claims. While we loved the idea of all these antioxidants and the immune-boosting power, we found that this sparkling water was slightly bitter and even had a bit of a vinegar taste—”medicinal” was the word that many of us were reaching for.
We were sad that this one didn’t quite live up to our expectations, but it’s likely because we don’t have a taste for birch the way we do maple.
Bottom line: Unless you’re a birch fan, stick with Sap!’s maple options.
The Takeaways
Overall, we’d consider ourselves Sap! fans. The mild maple flavors of the seltzer and soda were really refreshing and definitely satisfied our cravings for something slightly sweet. We’d skip the birch sparkling water for now, but it was still fun to try. If you’re interested in sampling, try their variety pack or their new line of Sap! sparkling water.
Chocolate Maple Bars
My family runs a maple syrup operation, and I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate maple syrup into my cooking and baking. These bars are delicious! —Cathy Schumacher, Alto, Michigan
Maple Butter Twists
My stepmother passed on the recipe for this delicious yeast coffee cake that's shaped into pretty rings. When I make it for friends, they always ask for seconds. —June Gilliland, Hope, Indiana
Glazed Apple-Maple Blondies
My 6-year-old son and I conjured up this recipe to use the last of the apples we picked from the local apple orchard. Each bar goes beautifully with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. —Heather Bates, Athens, Maine
Mini Maple Cinnamon Rolls
Maple syrup sweetens these lovely little cinnamon buns. I make the dough in my bread machine before popping the rolls in the oven. My husband prefers them warm. —Juanita Carlsen, North Bend, Oregon
Maple Walnut Cake
This maple-flavored cake with candied walnuts honors beloved my grandpa, who made maple syrup when I was a child. It honors his memory and has proven to be a favorite with family and friends throughout the years. —Lori Fee, Middlesex, New York
Maple-Orange Pear Crisp
In fall, my family loves to kick back after dinner and dig into big bowls of this spiced crisp. It isn't too sweet, but still satisfies a sweet tooth. —Noreen McCormick, Cromwell, Connecticut
Pressure Cooker Maple Creme Brulee
The pressure cooker is the perfect cooking vessel for the classic dessert creme brulee. The crunchy brown sugar topping in this recipe is wonderful, and the custard is smooth and creamy.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Maple French Toast Bake
This yummy French toast casserole is a breeze to whip up the night before a busy morning. My family loves the richness it gets from cream cheese and maple syrup. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Chewy Maple Cookies
My husband, Bob, and I have a small sugaring operation with Bob's father. I love to put some of our syrup to use in these golden cookies. —Reba Legrand, Jericho, Vermont
Maple-Bacon White Chocolate Fudge
Tired of the same old fudge? Try my recipe with white chips, maple flavoring and bacon. Then be prepared to share the recipe. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
Apple-Walnut Maple Conserve
Versatile and delicious, this conserve reminds me of a warm cozy kitchen; you'll love every bite. I warm the conserve and pour it over vanilla ice cream as a dessert, and it's great as a topping over French toast, biscuits or even pork roast. Be sure to make more than one batch so you can give it as gifts during the holidays.—Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Maple Bacon French Toast Casserole
This is my go-to Sunday breakfast. It's easy to put together and put in the fridge Saturday night then bake the next morning. It gives me more time for enjoying family on Sundays. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas
Chocolate Drizzled Maple-Nut Tart
Here’s a true indulgence for the holiday season. The rich, buttery crust holds a triple-nut filling flavored with maple. When the tart has cooled, I drizzle on melted chocolate. —Rebekah Radewahn, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Morning Maple Muffins
Maple combines with a subtle touch of cinnamon and nuts to give these muffins the flavor of a hearty pancake breakfast. But you don’t have to sit down to enjoy them. Our 2-year-old comes back for seconds, and even my husband—who doesn’t normally like muffins—likes these. —Elizabeth Talbot, Lexington, Kentucky
Maple Bacon Walnut Coffee Cake
Wake up the sleepyheads in your household with this moist, tender coffee cake that’s both sweet and savory. Bacon and nuts in the crumbly topping blend with flavors of maple, nutmeg and cinnamon. Yum! —Angela Spengler, Clovis, New Mexico
Coffee Maple Spritz
I like spritz cookies because they're easier to make than rolled cutouts but I can still be creative with different shapes and sizes. Feel free to substitute vanilla or rum extract for the maple flavoring. —Dierdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Ginger-Maple Roasted Pecans
Use these spiced nuts as a snack, in a salad or as a coating for fish. They're a smart ingredient to keep on hand. —Angie Thanopoulos, Arlington Heights, Illinois
Maple Nut Banana Bread
Banana bread rises to a whole new level when you add maple syrup, sour cream and pecans—and a cinnamon-spiced streusel. It’s a comforting, home-style treat for breakfast or any time of day.—David Dahlman, Chatsworth, California
Peanut Butter Maple Cookies
I bake these crispy yet chewy peanut butter cookies often. My grandchildren, both near and far, can't wait to dig into the cookie jar. —Lois Bowman, Swanton, Maryland
Maple-Glazed Cinnamon Chip Bars
Cinnamon chips and a maple glaze add fabulous flavor. When I make these, the kitchen smells like Christmas. The glaze fancies them up a bit. —Lyndi Pilch, Springfield, Missouri
Maple-Walnut Sticky Buns
Mmm! These ooey-gooey goodies will have everyone licking maple syrup from their fingers—and reaching for seconds. The yeast dough chills overnight. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Maple Pecan Bars
Baking these bars fills me with warm memories of my Grandma Marie, who made a similar recipe. The pecan treats are popular at our office cookie exchange.—Amanda Spearing, Newton, Iowa
Maple Peanut Butter Pie
Maple nut goodies have been a favorite candy of mine since I was a child, and I think the flavors taste just as great in a pie! This pie freezes well, too—just take it out to thaw 30 minutes before serving. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Maple Carrot Cupcakes
A savory update to baked French toast, this is an easy make-ahead dish that is excellent for brunches and showers. The combination of maple syrup, bacon and nuts makes it impressive and satisfying. —John Whitehead, Greenville, South Carolina
Maple-Bacon Doughnut Bites
While these delicious bite-size treats are ready in minutes, they’ll disappear in a flash. And don’t relegate the deep-fried goodness to the breakfast nook—I’ve never had anyone turn these down no matter the time of day. —Chelsea Turner, Lake Elsinore, CA
Makeover Maple Coffee Cake
Downsizing the sugar and margarine, and switching to fat-free milk made all the difference in this coffee cake recipe, but without sacrificing one tasty crumb of flavor. —Sharon Boynak, La Porte, Indiana
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Glaze
Serve up some fun with this delicious cake that’s yummy any time of the year, but especially nice during the holiday season. No one will guess that cake mix simplifies the recipe. The traditional pumpkin and spices plus the delectable maple glaze give it a real from-scratch taste. —Barbara Elliott, Tyler, Texas
Vermont Maple Oatmeal Pie
This yummy pie has an old-fashioned feeling, but is so easy to prepare. Serve it with ice cream drizzled with maple syrup or top it with maple- or cinnamon-flavored whipped cream. —Barbie Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota
Maple Nut Coffee Cake
Every time I make this coffee cake for the holidays or church functions, the pan is emptied in a hurry. People rave about it. —Rosadene Herold, Lakeville, Indiana
French Toast Cookies
I created these soft, sparkly cookies because my sister loves cinnamon French toast covered in maple syrup. In the case of these cookies, bigger is definitely better! I like to use white whole wheat flour, but any whole wheat flour will work.—Mary Shenk, Dekalb, Illinois
Maple Sticky Buns
My family has a small sugaring operation in our backyard. This recipe makes good use of the maple syrup we make. It's a family tradition to serve these sticky buns on Thanksgiving every year. —Priscilla Rossi, East Barre, Vermont
Maple Pears
These buttery baked pears enjoy round-the-clock popularity. They bring ease and elegance to dessert or breakfast. —Amelia Ginett, Sodus, New York
Mom's Maple-Apple Pie
Mom's apple pie might be a cliché, but others have tried and failed to rival my mom's recipe. My siblings and I panic when anyone else takes the holiday apple pie assignment, but we make sure Mom is making hers, too. —Rebecca Little, Park Ridge, Illinois
Maple Walnut Biscotti
Replace melted chocolate with more maple flavor by combining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar with 2 tablespoons maple syrup; drizzle over biscotti. — Susan Rogers, Brattleboro, Vermont
Maple-Nut Cheesecake
To vary this delicious cheesecake, add cherries to the top, or swirl raspberry jam throughout before it’s baked. —Wendy Paffenroth, Pine Island, New York
Maple-Walnut Spritz Cookies
After taking a trip to Vermont during maple harvest season, I just had to make something using maple syrup. Because I love maple, walnuts and spritz cookies, I combined all those elements to create these perfectly delicious bites. I adore the aroma when these are baking.
Nutty Maple Muffins
Sweet, moist and laced with delightful maple flavor, these muffins are packed with pecans. They freeze well and taste as good with walnuts instead of pecans. —Betty Rupert, Chatham, Ontario
Vermont Maple-Pecan Cake
This delectable nutty maple cake has become a hands-down favorite. Chopped pecans add delicious flavor, and the rich cream cheese frosting is accented with a teaspoon of real maple syrup. —Teresa Cardin, Mansfield, Missouri
Glazed Maple Shortbread Cookies
Whenever I visit friends in Lutsen, Minnesota, I make sure to buy maple syrup there because I think it's even better than in Quebec. These delicious cookies can be decorated with sprinkles but they're just fine as is.—Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, OntarioThe post We Drank Shark Tank-Famous Sap! Here’s What We Thought appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lisa Kaminski