Have you ever noticed that many maple syrup bottles come with a tiny handle? It’s an interesting feature that invites curiosity.

In an ideal world, you’d be able to use the handle on a maple syrup bottle both for carrying it and for pouring syrup over pancakes, waffles, or any other dish that calls for a drizzle of it. But, the typical handle on a glass bottle of maple syrup is too small and positioned too high up the bottle to be practical for either purpose.

So, what’s the reasoning behind its existence?

What exactly is a Skeuomorph?

The most common explanation for the tiny handle is that it’s a skeuomorph—defined by Merriam-Webster as 'an ornament or design representing a utensil or implement.' Essentially, it’s a design feature that helps you recognize what the item is or how it’s supposed to be used, even though it doesn’t serve any practical purpose. A good example is the floppy disk icon in Microsoft Word: it symbolizes the action of saving a file, referencing the days when files were saved on physical floppy disks. While the icon clues you in on its function (though today’s kids might not get it), it doesn’t impact how the button works.

Skeuomorphs are everywhere in modern tech, mirroring physical versions of objects. For example, the email icon looks like an envelope, and the trash folder might make a crumpling sound when emptied. But not all skeuomorphs are tied to the shift from analog to digital—like the unnecessary handle on a maple syrup bottle.

The Story Behind Maple Syrup Bottles With Tiny Handles

One popular theory suggests that the tiny handle is a nod to the days when liquids were stored in salt-glazed stoneware containers, which typically featured large handles. As maple syrup companies moved from large ceramic jugs to smaller glass bottles, they added the small handle as a nostalgic reference to the past.

However, this narrative might lead you to believe that North America had a long-standing tradition of storing and selling maple syrup in stoneware containers with handles. In reality, stoneware was used for various liquids, and maple syrup only became a widely consumed product in the late 19th century. During this time, the market shifted as white cane sugar became more affordable, and New England maple producers began switching to syrup production. According to the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association, maple syrup was typically sold in 'cans and bottles.'

By the early 1930s, maple syrup manufacturers began adding small handles to their glass bottles, primarily as a marketing strategy. According to Canada Museum of History curator Jean-François Lozier, the addition of the handle was less about preserving an old tradition and more about evoking nostalgia. As Lozier explained to Reader's Digest Canada, the companies were aiming to associate their product with the old-fashioned crocks of the 19th century, appealing to consumers’ memories of the past.

While the small handles might not disqualify them as skeuomorphs, since they are still intended to evoke a particular feeling or image, it's perhaps more fitting to suggest that their origin lies in the nostalgic charm of stone jugs from days gone by, rather than specifically referencing maple syrup itself.