What Is Molasses?

While many of us know that molasses is a sweet sugarcane-based syrup concoction, there are those of us who know it as the thing our gym teachers compared us to. “Good times,” I suppose one might say. Anyway, with our high school years firmly behind us, we can focus on molasses proper and its many delicious and ingenious uses! Today, we’re talking about all things molasses, slowly but with purpose. You hear that, Mr. Kane?!

What is molasses made from?

Molasses is made from crushed sugar cane or sugar beets, and is a resultant byproduct that occurs during the making of sugar. (The same could be said for what smiles are made from!) 

How is molasses made?

Though it is a relatively natural occurring substance, a few steps must be taken before we’re able to reap molasses’ sweet reward. Molasses is made by first crushing the sugar source (cane or beets) to extract the juice. Then said juice is boiled down to form sugar crystals. Once the crystals are removed, the resulting brown, sticky, syrupy goo is deemed “molasses.” 

Does molasses go bad?

Unopened jars of molasses last for up to one year when stored in a cool, dry place. If it gets too hot or humid, mold can grow in the molasses, and then you officially have to change the label on it to say “mold-lasses.”

What is molasses used for?

Molasses has many uses. First and foremost is making brown sugar. Molasses is also a very popular flavoring in various baking and cooking recipes. It’s also the primary ingredient in some rums. Furthermore, certain dark beer styles (like stouts and porters) use molasses in their creation, as well. 

What is blackstrap molasses?

Blackstrap molasses is heavily caramelized molasses. You have to boil it three times to make it! Blackstrap molasses is often said to be healthier, as it contains vitamin and mineral content that is higher than the standard stuff. It tastes much more complex than traditional molasses. It’s dark and bitter and smoky and just a little bit salty. 

After learning all of that, maybe that gym teacher was actually paying us a wonderful compliment when they compared us to molasses. They weren’t calling us slow, they were calling us sweet, and useful and maybe just a little bit sticky.


About the Author

Joe Rumrill

Joe Rumrill is a fictional one-eyed spinach-loving sailor created in 1929 by E.C Se- Wait, no, that's not right... Joe Rumrill is a stand up comedian and writer currently based in Los Angeles. His favorite thing about food is a close tie between the taste and the nutrients one gets from it. His least favorite thing about it is the "gritty, dirt-like quality some food has", but he's most likely referring to the time in third grade he was dared to eat playground sand.

Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!

Your thoughts.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *