Brown sugar is just white sugar that has been mixed with molasses. It is what gives sugar its flavor, which is similar to caramel, and its soft, moist feel.
A byproduct of the sugar refining process is molasses. It has a dark, deep flavor and is a thick, viscous syrup that resembles honey. People frequently ask if it can be used in lieu of maple syrup or honey, but it isn’t a fantastic substitution because it is a little bit more bitter.
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How is Molasses obtained?
Molasses is produced in the same process as cane and beet sugar. During the procedure, the juices are removed. They are cooked and chilled once they have been removed. Molasses is a sticky, syrupy substance that has cooled. It provides moisture and richness in addition to sweetness, making it perfect for baking. Pies, dark bread, pastries, and marinades frequently use Molasses as an ingredient. It serves as the primary component of brown sugar.
Process of Extracting Sugar
The process of extracting sugar is as follows,
- First, wash the raw material and then clean it. Slice the cane or beets into smaller pieces.
- When the stalks are rolled underneath powerful equipment designed to press out all the fluids, extraction takes place. In order to make them disintegrate more rapidly, water is sprayed over them.
- Filter out the juice and remove the impurities from it.
- Water that has been boiled off leaves behind a sticky, syrupy substance. The sugar cools, crystallizes, and is then taken out.
- Now cool the Molasses and fill it in the bottle.
Since typical table sugar loses a significant amount of its sucrose during the milling process, that’s why Molasses nutrition is considerably healthier for you because it is prepared by the extraction process. In contrast to most other foods, Molasses is healthier for you the more processed it is. This is because, when the liquid sweetener boils, more sugar is extracted, but many nutrients are left behind and become more concentrated. Molasses has a lot of iron, which can be difficult to get in vegan diets. Dark Molasses, which only boils twice, contain up to 40% more sugar than the blackstrap Molasses produced by the third boiling.
Origin of Molasses
The Portuguese word melaço, which is itself derived from the Latin word mel, which means honey, gave rise to the English word “Molasses.” The name Melasus first appeared in literature in a Portuguese book announcing the conquest of the West Indies in 1582. To manufacture rum, Molasses from the West Indies were sent to the United States.
Benefits of Molasses
The benefits of Molasses are,
- 20% of our daily calcium requirements are found in one tablespoon
- It contains up to 30% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of iron, or 2.4 mg, in each serving
- High levels of magnesium support nervous system function
- It includes a little amount of selenium, copper, potassium, and vitamin B6
- Since Molasses has a lower glycemic index than table sugar, it won’t cause as much of a blood sugar surge
Is Molasses Vegan?
As Molasses is made from sugar so that’s why it contains no animal product. Sugar is a naturally occurring substance obtained from plants. Bone char, primarily cow bones, is used by American sugar manufacturers to whiten the sugar. A non-vegan product is produced when animal bones are used in the manufacturing of sugar or Molasses.
Vegan Molasses
Vegan Molasses, also known as Blackstrap Molasses, is naturally abundant in a variety of micronutrients, unlike refined sugar. While it is true that it contains a lot of calories and sugar, it also has a remarkable nutritional profile for a sweetener. Iron, selenium, copper, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, as well as amino acids, vitamin B6, and antioxidants, are all abundant in Vegan Molasses.
The final phase in the boiling process produces Blackstrap Molasses. Some claim that it isn’t truly all that sweet. According to studies, it can enhance hair, regulate blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, and support bone health. It can also relieve stress. That many advantages with only one meal additive!
The majority of its uses are in baking and cooking e.g. molasses cake, molasses crinkle cookies, molasses candy, etc. On the other hand, it may be included in an apple cider vinegar beverage to aid in digestion and control blood sugar levels or added to oats to create a pleasant breakfast.
There are no overtly animal elements in Molasses. It has a thick, creamy texture, yet it doesn’t include dairy or any of its byproducts. Sugar cane or sugar beets, both of which are plant sources, are the only two sources of Molasses. Because of this, Molasses may be regarded as a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | 119 |
| Total Fat | 4.1g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 175.5mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 19.9g |
| Dietary fibers | 0.4g |
| Sugars | 11.7g |
| Proteins | 1.1g |
| Iron | 5% |
| Magnesium | 5% |
| Potassium | 3% |
| Thiamine | 7% |
| Folic acid | 5% |
| Vitamin E | 9% |
Ingredients
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- ½ cup vegan butter, melted
- ⅔ cup dark brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup blackstrap or fancy molasses
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- raw sugar
Steps for Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom in a medium bowl. Mix well.
- Whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, molasses, and vanilla in a large bowl.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Pour raw sugar into a bowl for rolling.
- Scoop cookie dough by holding a tablespoon and then roll it into its balls. Roll or press dough in raw sugar. Now gently press each dough ball to flatten slightly.
- Now place cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving at least 1 ½” between cookies.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are cracked, and puffy and the edges appear cooked.
- Now cool the cookies on a cooling rack.
- Once cool store in a sealed container.
Vegan Molasses Products
Following are the different Vegan Molasses products,
Meridian pure Blackstrap Molasses
It is a certified organic product and it is vegan-friendly.
Biona Blackstrap Molasses
It is also a certified organic product and it is vegan-friendly.
Holland and Barrett Molasses
It is not organically certified but it is vegan-friendly
Use of Vegan Molasses
Although Molasses is a sugar derivative, it functions somewhat differently from sugar, making a straight substitute challenging. Due to its insufficient sweetness, it is also a poor alternative for honey. Molasses should only be used in recipes that explicitly call for it because of its strong, somewhat bitter flavor, which may substantially alter a dish.
Try adding some molasses to baked goods like muffins, gingerbread, spice cookies, and cake if you want to increase the number of nutrients and blackstrap molasses iron in your diet. Typically, raisins, cinnamon, and nuts like almonds or pecans go quite well with the taste.
Smoothies, BBQ sauce, a glaze for roasted vegetables, dressing, and porridge taste great when they are prepared by using blackstrap molasses.
Types of Molasses
There are different types of Molasses,
- Light Molasses
- Dark Molasses
- Blackstrap Molasses
- Sulfured Molasses
- Unsulfured Molasses
Blackstrap, Light, Dark (or medium), Treacle, and Sorghum Molasses are the five varieties (which are technically not molasses). Depending on the precise refining method employed, all kinds may include sulfur, although unsulfured goods, which are lighter in color and have a smoother flavor, are also available.
Conclusion
It makes brown sugar soft and moist and offers baked items a deep, dark flavor. Due to its high mineral content, vegetarian flavor it. Molasses enhances the rich flavors of delightfully spiced foods like gingerbread cookies, muffins, and cupcakes. While not an exact match, blackstrap molasses, and light molasses can be used in place of black treacle and golden syrup, respectively. It may be used as a replacement for basic things like a topping for oatmeal, but it is not a good substitute for maple syrup or honey while baking. Compared to ordinary syrup, it has a less sweet and more bitter flavor.
It should be stored in a cold, dark area until it is time to consume it, much like other foods in jars. The refrigerator is another storage option. It can keep for up to a year if stored correctly. If you suspect anything has been sitting for a little too long, always check the “best by” date and check for mold.
Magnesium and vitamin B6 are both abundant in blackstrap molasses, which enhances the brain’s and nervous system’s performance. All these minerals may be consumed in a cup of tea made with blackstrap molasses to reduce stress and the physical problems it causes.