Molasses is Not Just for Baking

Let me start out by saying that not all molasses is the same. For this discussion, I will be talking strictly about blackstrap molasses. Molasses is made from sugar cane.{{more}}

First the juice is separated from the pulp, and then the sugar is extracted from the juice. The first extraction results in the molasses generally available in grocery stores.

Once it is done a second time, the result is a heavier, darker concentration, and when it is done for a third and final time, this is blackstrap molasses; a thick, dark, bittersweet liquid.

Blackstrap molasses contains very high concentrations of iron, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium and B-6.

The taste of blackstrap is bittersweet with an overtone of gingerbread, and is heavy and thick, making taking it off of a spoon a little off-putting to some.

Simply adding a tablespoon or two to a daily smoothie will provide you with more than 12 percent of your daily requirement of calcium and the naturally occurring magnesium assists with the calcium absorption.

Most of us think of calcium for bone health, but in addition to that calcium will bind to toxins found in the colon and remove them from the body. As a migraine sufferer, I should also say that calcium’s role in nerve conduction assists with diminishing the frequency of migraine attacks.

Manganese in small amounts naturally occurs in our bodies, and it is a very powerful antioxidant, and efficiently works to regulate the level of sugar in our blood.

The naturally occurring manganese in molasses is a wonderful health benefit.

We often hear of the health benefits of honey, but seldom do we hear about the benefits of molasses and most consider it a thick, sweet addition to baked goods or baked beans.

Here we let it share space with our honey, as it too has numerous health benefits, just in a different way.

Hopefully next time you see a jar, you’ll consider giving it a try for your health.

When purchasing molasses, be sure that it is blackstrap, and carefully read the label to ensure it is not mixed with corn syrup or any other sweetener.

Sabrina is co-owner with her husband, Ernie, of Sunflower Farm and Connecticut Natural Soapworks, a beekeeper, Reiki Master, and market master of the Milford Downtown Farmers’ Market. www.sunflowerfarm.com