Maple syrup testers may be getting an electronic boost

Think of it as one of the few remaining jobs that still requires a human touch.

Or in the case of maple syrup, a human tongue.

Canada's maple syrup industry accounts for 80 per cent of the world's pure supply. Last year, Statistics Canada put our production numbers at 8.6 million gallons of syrup and syrup products, which pretty much amounts to a non-stop pancake and waffle deluge.

Of those 8.6 million gallons, the Toronto Star reports, many first had to pass through a procession of expert taste buds — or in other words, people whose full-time job it is to try batch after batch after batch.

One such set of highly qualified receptors belongs to Ray Bonenberg, an Ontario maple syrup producer who has been around the sweet stuff his entire life.

"Every time I pull a batch off my evaporator, I taste it," he told the paper. "It's just a fascinating process. You learn something every day, all the time."

Bonenberg samples up to 20 batches a day to make sure they make the mark. A batch can be spoiled by anything from storing syrup near anything that gives off a heavy odour to waiting until the trees begin to bud before tapping for sap.

But flesh-and-blood syrup samplers may soon be getting an electronic aid. Ottawa announced this week that it has granted $1.7 million to a research initiative that is developing a tool capable of taste testing and accurately assessing the quality of our maple-y goods.

The technology comes courtesy of the Quebec Maple Research Centre, an organization that has spent the last five years working on the project. It's slated to debut next season.

In theory, the tool would be able to assure the perfection of the product by scanning wavelengths and molecules for "light and taste."

So, for example, if a producer has thrown a little sugar in the mix to keep costs down, the machine will be able to identify the invading granular forces.

It makes sense that the initiative hails from Quebec. The province produces 90 per cent of the country's entire output and requires by law a third party inspection. Which means their taste testers could likely use the assistance.

It doesn't mean, however, that Quebec will soon be overrun by an army of hyperactive H.A.L.s.

Project researcher Luc Lagacé told the Star the inspection tool is designed to assist — not replace — well-honed human expertise.

"It will more likely help them in their decision, where they have to describe the product and say if it fills the quality requirement that the industry is looking at," he said.

So for all maple syrup purists out there, don't despair. Your oatmeal will continue to be sweetened by people who know what they're doing.