As a child, my mother used to give us a spoon of molasses when we were feeling tired and rundown. I remember looking at the shiny black goo on the spoon and thinking that I was going to either vomit or die from it. Neither happened. Generally, I felt better. Whether this was due to the molasses, the threat of more molasses, or just time passing, my mother was on to something. High in mineral content, blackstrap molasses is enjoying renewed interest as a natural supplement, natural sweetener, as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments.
What is blackstrap molasses?
Blackstrap molasses definition – [blak-strap] – noun – molasses remaining after maximum extraction of sugar from the raw product, used chiefly as a constituent of cattle feed and as a source of ethyl alcohol. – from Random House Dictionary, 2011.
Molasses is the by-product that results from boiling down sugar cane to extract sugar. There are different types of molasses; the taste,consistency, and nutritional value differs depends on which “boiling” the molasses is from. Blackstrap molasses is from the third boiling of sugar cane,and is darker and has a stronger flavour than the molasses produced from the first and second boilings. Blackstrap molasses is also higher in vitamins and minerals than the lighter, sweeter molasses that is produced in the first two boilings. Popular in the 18th and 19th century as a more economical alternative to white sugar (more refined and therefore more expensive), molasses was first brought to western society from the Caribbean sugar plantations. The unusual flavour of blackstrap molasses gives cooking and baking a unique, rich taste.
Nutritional Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses
Molasses is a natural source of
- iron
- copper
- manganese
- magnesium
- potassium
- calcium
- vitamin B6
- selenium
One tablespoon of blackstrap molasses is packed with vitamins and minerals, and taking just one tablespoon each day will provide a good portion of the recommended daily value of each of them. In fact, one tablespoon has approximately 4 mg of iron and 47 calories, while a three ounce portion of beef has only 3.1 mg of iron and 215 calories. This makes blackstrap molasses an excellent choice for weight loss, for vegans and vegetarians, pregnant, nursing, or menopausal women, and for anemia sufferers. Molasses with milk is a good way to boost absorption of calcium as well. A tablespoon of blackstrap molasses each day will provide the following:
- 27 percent of the daily recommended amount of manganese;
- 21 percent of copper;
- 20 percent of iron;
- 18 percent of calcium;
- 15 percent potassium;
- 11 percent of magnesium.
The Great Molasses Flood of 1919
Perhaps one of the most unique stories about molasses is that of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919. It occurred when a very large vat of molasses exploded, sending over 2 million tons of molasses sliding through downtown Boston. Twenty-one people lost their lives in the disaster.
Blackstrap Molasses as a Remedy
Brimstone and treacle was a common remedy for stomach upsets and “spots” (acne) in Britain through the 1800s. Made famous in the Victorian novels of Charles Dickens, the term “brimstone and treacle” refers to sulfer and blackstrap molasses. A teaspoon a day of the mixture was said to “fix what ails ye.” Some of the other ailments blackstrap molasses is said to help include
- arthritis
- anemia
- acne
- anxiety
- constipation
- heart palpitations
- joint pain
- fatigue
- high blood pressure
- skin conditions
- regulate menstrual cycles
- fibroid tumours
- edema
Today blackstrap molasses is used increasingly in Colon Cleansing or detoxifying programs. It is also rumoured to help reduce the appearance of white hair.
The Great Molasses Flood of 1919
Perhaps one of the most unique stories about molasses is that of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919. It occurred when a very large vat of molasses exploded, sending over 2 million tons of molasses sliding through downtown Boston. Twenty-one people lost their lives in the disaster.
Nutritional Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses
Molasses is a natural source of
- iron
- copper
- manganese
- magnesium
- potassium
- calcium
- vitamin B6
- selenium
One tablespoon of blackstrap molasses is packed with vitamins and minerals, and taking just one tablespoon each day will provide a good portion of the recommended daily value of each of them. In fact, one tablespoon has approximately 4 mg of iron and 47 calories, while a three ounce portion of beef has only 3.1 mg of iron and 215 calories. This makes blackstrap molasses an excellent choice for weight loss, for vegans and vegetarians, pregnant, nursing, or menopausal women, and for anemia sufferers. Molasses with milk is a good way to boost absorption of calcium as well. A tablespoon of blackstrap molasses each day will provide the following:
- 27 percent of the daily recommended amount of manganese;
- 21 percent of copper;
- 20 percent of iron;
- 18 percent of calcium;
- 15 percent potassium;
- 11 percent of magnesium.
Today blackstrap molasses is used increasingly in Colon Cleansing or detoxifying programs. It is also rumoured to help reduce the appearance of white hair.
Cooking and Baking with Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap molasses can be eaten straight out of the carton, cooked, or baked. It is very good spread on homemade bread with a little butter, or added to a cup of hot soya milk, tea, coffee, or organic milk as an alternative sweetener to white sugar. It is most commonly used in recipes for baked beans, gingerbread, and cookies. When cooking or baking with blackstrap molasses, take care to avoid boiling it as it will lose some of it’s nutritional value in doing so.
Recipe for Blackstrap Molasses Cookies
Set oven temperature to 375 degrees.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup organic brown sugar
- 3/4 cup organic vegetable shortening
- 1/4 cup unsulfured organic blackstrap molasses
- 1 organic egg
- 2 1/4 cup sifted all-nature unbleached flour
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 2 level tsp baking soda
- pinch of salt
Mix brown sugar, molasses, shortening and egg together in a large bowl. Sift remaining ingredients together and add to molasses mixture. Mix gently, cover and chill dough in fridge for about 30 minutes. Roll into small balls. Dip tops of cookie balls in brown sugar. Place sugar-side-up, three inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle a couple of drops of water on the cookies to get a crackled effect during baking. Bake 10-12 minutes just until set. Makes about 4 dozen cookies and they freeze well!
Tip for Measuring Molasses
If you are cooking or baking with molasses, honey, or any other thick, sticky, syrup, swirl a little vegetable oil around the glass measuring cup prior to measuring the molasses. The oil will keep the molasses from sticking to the glass and speed up the pouring out process!
Tips & Tricks for Buying Blackstrap Molasses
Not all blackstrap molasses is created equal. Read the label on the jars or cartons and compare the percentages of vitamins and minerals per tablespoon. Look for unsulfered organic blackstrap molasses. Sulfers are additives that are used to preserve foods, and while only some people have noticeable physical reactions to sulfers, they aren’t good for anyone. Organic molasses has been produced from sugar cane that was grown in mineral-rich soil without the use of harmful chemicals and will be free of defoliant chemicals (used by sugar cane producers to make the leaves fall off the sugar cane more quickly). Once opened, store your molasses in the fridge or a cool dry place for up to six months, and be prepared, it will pour out even more slowly when it is cold!
Where Can I Find Blackstrap Molasses?
While molasses is commonly found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores and supermarkets, not all of them carry blackstrap molasses. Check your local natural foods or health foods store, or a bulk-bin style grocery store.