can range from a very light colour to a dark brown,,,it depends on the trees it is taken from. Some stands of maple trees are in different soil etc....
Also, dofferent producers prepare their product a bit different than others.
As regards "freshness"...there isn't such a thing, unless, I suppose, that we are talking about 100 years old. The reason it was produced in the first place is precisely because it will remain good for a very long time....
The best maple syrup comes from the New England and Eastern Canada....