VeggieSensations.com

Blackstrap molasses is a sweetener that is actually good for you. Refined white sugar and corn syrup, has been stripped of all nutrients except simple carbohydrates. Blackstrap contains significant amounts of minerals that promote good health. Blackstrap molasses provides carbohydrates which are quickly absorbed which increases your energy by helping to replenish your iron stores. It provides more iron for less calories than red meat and is totally fat-free. Using two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses to sweeten your morning cereal, coffee, tea, or smoothies you drink during the day will supply you with:

Daily Recommended Value In 2 teaspoons
13.3 Percent Iron
11.8 Percent Calcium
14.0 Percent Copper
9.7 Percent Potassium
7.3 Percent Magnesium

Molasses is a by-product created in the process of sugarcane or sugar beets into sugar. Sorghum syrup is another name for molasses. The quality of molasses depends on the maturity of the sugar cane or beet, the amount of sugar extracted, and the method of extraction.

Cane molasses is made from young green sugar cane and is treated with sulfur dioxide fumes. The sulfur dioxide acts as a preservative, during the sugar extraction process. The young canes are crushed to extract the juice. The juice is then boiled to concentrate the liquid and to promote crystallization. The results of this first boiling and removal of sugar crystal is first molasses. This molasses has the highest sugar content because little sugar has been extracted from the juice. When that molasses in boiled again it creates second molasses which has a slightly bitter taste. The third boiling of the sugar syrup produces blackstrap molasses. Blackstrap molasses is a good source of calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron.

Sugar beet molasses comes from sugar beets. Molasses from sugar beets is not as commonly found in many parts of the world. It is only economically viable in trade protected areas where the price of sugar is supported above the world market price like in the US and parts of Europe.

Cane molasses is often used in baked goods such as gingerbread cookies. In cooking and baking you can replace other sweeteners with molasses. One cup of molasses may be used instead of 1 cup honey, or 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar, or 1 cup dark corn syrup, 1 cup granulated sugar with 1/4 cup water, or 1 cup pure maple syrup.

Try switching from nutrient-poor sweeteners like white sugar or corn syrup and most impertinently from potentially harmful fake sweeteners like aspartame or saccharin to blackstrap molasses and add some nutrients to you foods.

References: Wikipedia, About.com and The Worlds Healthiest Foods

Copyright by VeggieSensations.com 5/2/2007