Hey!
Yes, it matters. You can't use grade A because there aren't so many nutrients, etc in it. I can't find the quote I'm looking for from the book, but here's one to get you started!

Maple Syrup Grading: Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C:
USDA Grade A maple syrup is the most popular grade for everyday use as a topping on pancakes, deserts, and other foods. It is usually made throughout most of the short syrup production season. Grade B syrup is generally made towards the end of the season, as the weather warms towards spring and the trees end their winter dormancy. USDA Grade B syrup is much darker and has a stronger flavor, which makes it more suitable for flavoring and cooking purposes. It is thought that this late season syrup contains more minerals. Grade C syrup is no longer an official USDA syrup grade. For those of you looking for Grade C maple syrup, it is now called Grade B. In other words, Grade B & C are the same.

Yea, my friend had a rough time finding it as well--then she chickened out anyway, lol. I'm sensitive to Sugar so I'm using the blackstrap molasses alternative, I found that in health food stores. You could always order online for maple syrup.

I found that Drug Emporium carries the brand NOW maple syrup and it is grade B. It is in a grayish container with an orange label.

It is weird how hard it is to find Grade B maple syrup sometimes. Most of the health food stores around here (Pennsylvania) never carry out. I usually buy mine from Trader Joes because it is cheaper. I try to avoid the plastic containers because I think it tastes better from the glass jugs.

Organic lemons are also really hard to find (and usually very expensive) so I often use just regular lemons.

Hey! I guesse you CAN use it if you must.... this from the book:

The maple syrup is a balanced form of positive and negative Sugar and must be used, not some "substitute". There are three grades of maple syrup. Grade A is the first run—mild in taste, sweet and with less minerals than the other grades. It is more expensive and less desirable but it may be used. Grade B is the second run with more minerals plus more maple taste. It is more suitable for the diet and is less expensive. Grade C is the third run with even more minerals and still stronger taste of maple and slightly less pleasant for most people, although acceptable in the diet. It is lower in price. As Grade C is less expensive it can be used as an excellent sweetening agent in preparing foods. The strong maple flavor blends very well.