[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy25

1. What are some of the most common sweeteners in Japan? (ex. honey, brown rice syrup, maple syrup)

If we eliminate normal white sugar and limit ourselves to stuff you pour directly over the food when you eat it... Honey, general purpose "syrup", caramel syrup, etc.

2. Where would someone normally buy sweeteners in japan and how often? (ex. street/farmers markets, corner stores)

This depends on the sweetener, but I am going to say that 95% of the time people buy it at regular supermarkets. Novelty type syrups - specialty honey, maple syrup, etc - are usually sold in specialty shops and high end supermarkets.

3. What are the common uses for each sweetener in Japan? For instance what is the most common use for honey? Maple syrup?

Honey is popular to spread on toast. General syrup and maple syrup for pancakes. Caramel, honey, and maple are also used in cooking. However, on average I can`t say that any of these are used on a daily sort of basis.

4. What type of people usually buys the common sweeteners? What type of person buys honey, what type of person would buy maple syrup?

I`m going to say this is all up to preference and cost. If someone likes maple syrup and can afford it (usually 800 yen for a small bottle, in contrast to 200 for general purpose syrup or 400 for honey) they will likely buy it.

5. Do you think Maple syrup has a future in Japan?

I definitely think so, as pretty much everyone knows of it. Maple flavored cookies and the like are quite popular.