Molasses 58794 224510740 2008-07-09T04:43:12Z 70.142.48.105 {{Refimprove|date=January 2008}} {{Distinguish|molasse}} [[Image:Blackstrapmolasses.JPG|thumb|right|280px|Blackstrap molasses]] '''Molasses''' or '''[[treacle]]''' is a thick [[syrup]] by-product from the processing of the [[sugarcane]] or [[sugar beet]] into [[sugar]]. (In some parts of the US, ''molasses'' also refers to [[sorghum syrup]].) The word ''molasses'' comes from the [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] word ''melaço'', which comes from ''mel'', the Portuguese word for "[[honey]]". 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== <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Jar Of Molasses.jpg|thumbnail|165px|A jar of Meridian Cane Molasses.]] --> Sulfured molasses is made from young green [[sugar cane]] and is treated with [[sulfur dioxide]], which acts as a preservative, during the sugar extraction process. Unsulfured molasses is made from mature sugar cane and does not require treatment with sulfur during the extraction process. There are three grades of molasses, Mild or ''first molasses'', Dark or ''second molasses'', and Black strap. These grades may be sulfured or unsulfured. To make molasses, which is pure sugar [[cane juice]], the sugar cane plant is harvested and stripped of its leaves. Its juice is extracted from the canes, usually by crushing or mashing. The juice is boiled to concentrate which promotes the crystallization of the [[sugar]]. The results of this first boiling and removal of sugar crystal is ''first molasses'', which has the highest sugar content because comparatively little sugar has been extracted from the juice. ''Second molasses'' is created from a second boiling and sugar extraction, and has a slight bitter tinge to its taste. The third boiling of the sugar syrup gives ''black strap molasses''. The majority of sucrose from the original juice has been crystallized but black strap molasses is still mostly sugar by calories<ref>[http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrientprofile&dbid=85 "Black strap Molasses In Depth Nutrient Analysis"] at World's Healthiest Foods</ref>; however, unlike refined sugars, it contains significant amounts of [[vitamin]]s and [[mineral]]s. Black strap molasses is a source of [[calcium]], [[magnesium]], [[potassium]] and [[iron]]. One tablespoon provides up to 20 percent of the daily value of each of those nutrients.<ref>[http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-B00001-01c21Ru.html "Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Black strap Molasses"], NutritionData.com</ref><ref>[http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=118#safetyissues "Blackstrap Molasses"] at World's Healthiest Foods</ref> Black strap is often sold as a health supplement, as well as being used in the manufacture of [[cattle]] feed, and for other industrial uses. ==Sugar beet molasses== <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Sugar beet molasses.jpg|thumbnail|200px|A jug of Sugar beet molasses.]] --> Molasses that comes from the [[sugar beet]] is different from cane molasses. Only the syrup left from the final [[crystal]]lization stage is called molasses; intermediate syrups are referred to as ''high green'' and ''low green'' and these are recycled within the crystallization plant to maximize extraction. Beet molasses is about 50% sugar by dry weight, predominantly [[sucrose]] but also containing significant amounts of [[glucose]] and [[fructose]]. Beet molasses is limited in [[biotin]] (Vitamin H or B<sub>7</sub>) for cell growth, hence it may need to be supplemented with a biotin source. The non-sugar content includes many salts such as [[calcium]], [[potassium]], [[oxalate]], and [[chloride]]. These are either as a result of concentration from the original plant material or as a result of chemicals used in the processing. As such, it is unpalatable and is mainly used as an additive to animal feed (called "molassed<!--Note: "molassed" is the correct spelling--> sugar beet feed") or as a fermentation feedstock. It is possible to extract additional sugar from beet molasses through a process known as molasses desugarisation. This technique exploits industrial scale [[chromatography]] to separate sucrose from non-sugar components. The technique is economically viable in trade protected areas where the price of sugar is supported above the world market price. As such it is practiced in the [[U.S.]]<ref>[http://www.arifractal.com/assbt%201995%20smb%20optimization.pdf "Chromatographic Separator Optimization"] at Amalgamated Research Inc.</ref> and parts of [[Europe]]. Molasses is used for yeast production. ==Substitutes== Cane molasses is a common ingredient in [[baking]], often used in baked goods such as [[gingerbread]] [[cookie]]s. There are a number of substitutions that can be made for molasses; for a [[cup (unit)|cup]] of molasses the following may be used (with varying degrees of success): 1 cup honey, or ¾ 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]]. ==Other forms== In the [[Middle Eastern cuisine|cuisines of the Middle East]], molasses is produced from several other materials: [[carob]][http://www.aldoukan.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&User_ID=3640741&st=8736&st2=-82379528&st3=43880377&Product_ID=215&CATID=18], [[grape]][http://www.tulumba.com/storeItem.asp?ic=FB500279GV134], [[Date Palm|date]][http://ddforeign.en.ec21.com/GC01468999/CA01469000/Date_Molasses.html], [[pomegranate]][http://www.indo-euro.com/pomegranate%20molasses.htm], and [[mulberry]].[http://www.tulumba.com/storeItem.asp?ic=FB246319AB348] ==Non-culinary uses== Because of its unusual properties, molasses has several uses beyond that of a straightforward food additive. It can be used as a [[chelation|chelating]] agent to remove rust, as the base material for fermentation into rum, as the [[carbon]] source for [[in situ]] [[remediation]] of [[chlorinated hydrocarbon]]s, and it can even be mixed with sand to make mortar for brickwork. == See also == {{Illustrated Wikipedia|Molasses comic.jpg}} *[[Boston Molasses Disaster]] *[[Molasses Gang]] *[[Golden syrup]] *[[Rapadura]] *[[Sweet sorghum]] *[[Treacle mining]] *[[Rum]] *[[Shoofly pie]] *[[Jaggery]] == References == <references/> == External links == *[http://www.organicfooddirectory.com.au/molasses.php Molasses Information] [[Category:Sweeteners]] [[af:Melasse]] [[ar:معسل]] [[an:Melaza]] [[ast:Melaza]] [[gn:Eíra]] [[bg:Меласа]] [[cs:Melasa]] [[da:Melasse]] [[de:Melasse]] [[es:Melaza]] [[eo:Melaso]] [[fr:Mélasse]] [[ko:당밀]] [[it:Melassa]] [[he:דבשה]] [[lb:Mëlass]] [[hu:Melasz]] [[nl:Melasse]] [[ja:糖蜜]] [[pl:Melasa]] [[pt:Melaço]] [[ru:Меласса]] [[simple:Molasses]] [[sv:Melass]] [[uk:Меляса]]