Embark Maple Energy: Forest Foraged, Trail Trusted, & Lab Verified!

How much energy do I need, and how much am I actually getting has been at the core of important discussions in the endurance community lately.  In this article I’ll explore the process & practices that we followed for our 80 g carb/320 calorie Maple Energy packs, including the in-house testing, process development and lab verification we underwent to ensure its performance matches its excellent flavor.  

When Embark began developing Maple Energy in 2020, I (Eric the Fox, Embark co-owner) had already been using our homegrown maple syrup to fuel my “Big Dumb Adventures” for over a decade.  My experience, combined with that of friends & peers on & off the trail, guided the innovation of Embark Maple Energy. 

The product I was dreaming up had two core requirements: 

1. It had to work 

2. It had to taste good 

In my endurance racing & mis-adventures, I found my friends and I would often attempt to consume up to three tear-off gels per hour to keep pace (~300 calories).  However, due to the artificial ingredients & flavors, awkward textures and digestive issues they brought on, we were reluctant to use them until we absolutely had to.  I began researching, and found that organic maple syrup with a pinch of sea salt had the energy, electrolytes and nutrition I needed from a clean, natural source that was easy to digest and downright delicious!  I replaced the gut-rot gels with this homemade maple energy concoction mixed in mini flip-top bottles. 

I’ve always believed trail nutrition should be something you look forward to, and should elevate your experience of the outdoor spaces you’re exploring 

Over a decade and “starting a maple farm” career change later, our Maple Energy side project finally took center stage. 

We leveraged our experience as adventurers and maple farmers, researched the nutritional demands of ultra-athletes, formulated recipes, and began testing with a panel assembled of endurance athletes, adventurers, foodies and chefs.   

“HOLY CRAP! I was blown away. I never bonked, never got a sugar high, never got sick of it.”- Kate Coward, ultra-athlete & coach, on fueling exclusively with Embark Maple Energy at the Midsouth Gravel Double (50k ultra + 100 mi gravel back to back) 

“Embark has changed my ultra distance cycling. When I first tried it my mind was blown. Energy returned to me and I FINALLY found something that not only tasted great, had bare bones ingredients, settled amazingly with my stomach, and I could mix in my water!” –Matthew W. Endurance Cyclist 

It had to work, AND it had to taste good.   

Not all the recipes made it through testing.  Some had very mixed reviews from the panel, either love it or hate it.  Others had a good start, but needed refinement.  The Coffee Maple Energy took nearly 30 trials, with different roasts, grinds and brewing methods to finally present a flavor profile that was as delicious at mile 90 as it was in the local café that roasted the beans.   

We tested each variety in the kitchen, on the trail, up a mountain and down a river.   

“Now I must admit, while traditional energy gels get the job done and serve their purpose, I never found one that truly stuck -- until I experienced Embark. From sap to syrup, this sweet treat is something only a true coffee lover could dream up, all while packing those vital nutrients for the next adventure.” –Bonnie A. 

 “I tried the elderberry flavor and was instantly surprised at how smooth and delicious it was. I instantly knew I was going to use it at the last 20 miles of the 100 mile route because it was something I would really look forward to and enjoy!” Angela G. 

After this subjective taste & trail-trial feedback, we sent our Maple Energy to an independent lab for nutrition testing. 

It had to work. 

Our lab results (normalized & reported per 100 g) confirmed the following: 

• 323 kcal/pouch: 247 [kcal/100 g ]* 118 [g/pouch] 

• 250 mg sodium: 212 [sodium mg/100 g] * 118 [g/pouch] 

• A wealth of electrolytes, including calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus were naturally abundant in Embark’s organic maple syrup at levels comparable to commercial gels.  These nutrients are known to prevent cramping, nausea, and dizziness, boost muscle and nerve function, aid with digestion, and improve muscle strength and control.  These are not additions of isolated substances, but rather part of the natural terroir in organic maple syrup harvested at our off-grid farm.  These trees are pretty remarkable! 

With lab results in hand, we were finally ready to make nutrition labels and head to production. 

Research conducted after the launch of Embark Maple Energy verified the conclusions of our panel. The 3oz, 80g carb “Big Adventure” size was exactly what endurance athletes were needing, and was conspicuously missing from shelves.  Frontiers in Physiology finds, “Carbohydrate (CHO) intake recommendations for events lasting longer than 3h indicate that athletes should ingest up to 90g/h” and David Roche of Trailrunner magazine reports, “There are massive gains from increasing carb intake into the range suggested by the research.” 

This carbohydrate recommendation may seem daunting when considering traditional gels, but Embark Maple Energy is redefining nutrition, making it not only delicious, but easy and enjoyable to get the fuel you need. 

• Energize: Embark can be taken straight from the pack like a gel, but without the tacky, synthetic texture or need to chase it with water to get it down. The resealable cap means you can always get exactly what your body needs, then recap for no sticky mess. 

• Hydrate: Maple syrup is made from concentrated maple sap harvested at our farm, and retains its water soluble nature, making it incredibly easy for your body to digest, as well as making an awesome high-carb hydration aid.  Mixing a half pack in a 26oz water bottle creates an isotonic (6% carb) solution that is highly-efficient for the body to absorb and use. 

• Rejuvenate: Made from simple, real foods, Embark Maple Energy makes a great addition to the camp kitchen, adding flavor and nutrition to camp cooking and cocktails! 

The smaller 90-100 calorie tear-off gels are ubiquitous, and the maltodextrin-based ingredient list makes them inexpensive to produce, but they don’t stand up to the simple requirements we set out to meet: they don’t have the easily digestible carb content for endurance (they don’t work), and the textures and flavors don’t leave you looking forward to using them (they don’t taste good).  

Embark Maple Energy was crafted with athlete-tested, lab verified data, from real, simple ingredients from our off-grid farm.  

It works. 

And it tastes good. 

But that’s not all. 

There is a lot of Good Energy from Embark that doesn’t end up on a nutrition label. Our company is owned and operated by my wife and I from our tiny house on our off-grid farm.  We are passionate about outdoor spaces and the role connection to the outdoors plays in helping folks live good lives. We work to make the outdoors an accessible, welcoming place for more folks by supporting groups and scholarships that increase diversity and inclusion in the outdoor community. We are active in our local watershed council, are 1% for the Planet members, and strive to be a paradigm of a socially and environmentally responsible business.  

We craft energy to do good. 

Good. Energy. 

Embark Maple Energy.