As slow as...Blackstrap Molasses!

When I was a kid, growing up in Florida, my dad would make homemade buttermilk biscuits - the big, thick, fluffy kind!  If there were any left over, they became our breakfast in the morning...reheated (in the oven, since we didn't have microwaves then), sliced in two, a pat of butter melting on each side, and then drizzled with molasses.  Now, of course, I'm not a proponent of eating buttermilk biscuits or butter, but I've become a big fan of molasses - specifically, Blackstrap Molasses.

I went to a weekend retreat at my nutrition therapy school where they provided all of our meals (there is a natural foods chefs program at the school as well).  For breakfast one morning we had a 5-grain cereal (a whole-grain hot cereal with 5 different whole grains, such as oats, millet, quinoa, brown rice, etc.) with toppings.  The toppings included raw nuts, dried fruits, and raw seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, etc.).  Then there were drizzles to go on the top:  Honey, 100% maple syrup, and blackstrap molasses.  I was immediately taken back to when I was a little girl with the molasses drizzled over my big biscuits...what a memory!!  Naturally, I chose to drizzle the blackstrap molasses over my 5-grain cereal and WOW!

When I came home, I discovered I had blackstrap molasses in my pantry because my husband likes to make homemade bread and puts it in pumpernickel bread.  I wanted to know where blackstrap molasses comes from and how it might benefit health and oh boy, was I surprised!  So I share what I have learned, because blackstrap molasses has become one of my favorite things!

What is Blackstrap Molasses?

Blackstrap molasses is only one type of molasses.  It is the dark liquid byproduct of the process of refining cane sugar into table sugar.  It is made from the third boiling of the sugar syrup and is the concentrated byproduct left over after the sugar's sucrose has been crystallized.  Blackstrap molasses is a sweetener that is actually good for you!  Unlike refined white sugar and corn syrup, which are stripped of virtually all nutrients except simple carbohydrates, or artificial sweeteners like saccharine or aspartame, which not only provide no useful nutrients but have been show to cause health problems in sensitive individuals, blackstrap molasses is a healthful sweetener that contains significant amounts of a variety of minerals that promote your health.

Blackstrap molasses is an excellent source of manganese and copper.  It is a very good source of iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium.  In addition, blackstrap molasses is a good source of vitamin B6 and selenium.  

What to look for when buying blackstrap molasses:


Look for blackstrap molasses that is unsulphured since it does not contain this processing chemical to which some people are sensitive.  It also has a cleaner and more clarified taste.  Blackstrap molasses made from organic sugar is also available in health food stores.  Molasses should be kept stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator or a cool, dry place.  Unopened containers should keep for about one year.  Opened containers should be kept for about six months.

How to use blackstrap molasses:



In Baking - blackstrap molasses gives a darker color that results in a deep, golden brown and the bittersweet flavor mixes well with zingy spices like ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon (such as in molasses or gingerbread cookies or breads).


In Cooking - blackstrap molasses is the primary flavoring in Boston baked beans, giving the navy beans a dark caramel color and robust flavor.  It is also used as a basting liquid or glaze for meats and as a rich foundation for gravies.  It can be drizzled over sweet potatoes or stirred into soups, such as lentil or black bean.


Other - as I mentioned above, it can be drizzled over your morning hot cereal, or stirred into coffee or tea for an additional flavoring.  I discovered that a glass of cold water, or cup of hot water, with 1-2 tbsps of Apple Cider Vinegar plus 1-2 tspns of blackstrap molasses is delicious and nutritious!

Get creative and discover new uses for this most amazing healthy addition to your diet!  I would love to hear of your healthy creations with Blackstrap Molasses!


To Your Health!