Molasses

Molasses: what is it?

Molasses is a highly viscous fluid with a burnt-brown color, obtained by centrifugation (therefore separation) from sugar.

Certainly not available, molasses is nevertheless an "excellent (less caloric) alternative to sucrose, the currently best-selling sweetener, together with honey.

Black and white molasses

There is no single type of molasses on the market: a first distinction is made on the basis of quality (white and black molasses), a second, on the other hand, according to the starting matrix (beet and cane molasses):

1. White molasses: of little commercial value, obtained from the first extraction from sugar. The taste is quite pleasant.
2. Black molasses: much more valuable than the previous one, it is obtained from the second sugar extraction. The taste is less pleasant and more bitter than white molasses.
3. Beet molasses: use is reserved exclusively for the preparation of animal feed and for the production of brewer's yeast.
4. Cane molasses: obtained from the fermentation of sugar cane. Cane molasses is widely used in the preparation of vodka and rum (especially).

Deepening: sugar cane is a typical plant of the tropics, with a shape very similar to bamboo. Unlike the latter, the stem of the cane is rich in sugar, so much so that it even constitutes 20% of it!

Nutritional values

Molasses is a kind of gasoline for the mind, given its 290 Kcal per 100 grams.
Considering that black molasses is undoubtedly the most prized "variety", the following data refer precisely to this quality.
We have seen that molasses is "simply" a by-product of sugar processing: during the extraction of sugar from cane, the nutritional principles of the juice obtained are concentrated, thus obtaining a highly viscous and sticky fluid, known, in fact, as molasses.
Molasses is also known for its remineralizing properties: 100 grams of product provide over 79% of the RDA for iron (11 mg); molasses is also a source of potassium (1,500 mg), calcium (500 mg) and magnesium (90 mg), while the amount of phosphorus (30 mg) and copper (1.93 mg) is fairly good.
Molasses is a mine of vitamins: it is very rich in vitamins of the B complex in general, and in vitamin PP (niacin or B3: 4 mg), pantothenic acid (vit. B5: 260 mg), inositol (vit. B7: 150 mg) particularly.
Strictly speaking, molasses is a food of worthy consideration in terms of vitamins and minerals. [adapted from The complete book of minerals for health, by J. I. Rodale]

"Murderous molasses"

The title of the paragraph is not a joke, nor a euphemism: in the story that will be described, molasses was responsible for the deaths of many people. It was 1919: in Boston an enormous tank accidentally burst, containing an estimated quantity of molasses between 87,000 and 95,000 hectoliters; a catastrophic event developed from thermal and structural defects inside the structure. The molasses, a sticky black pulp mixed with bits of metal from the tank, began to spread like wildfire, reaching a speed of 56 km / h: 21 people were killed, 150 injured.

Sucrose and other sweeteners

Among the alternatives to granulated sugar (sucrose, common sweetener) we find:

• Honey: bee product par excellence
• Malt (extract)
• Stevia: plant from Paraguay and Brazil formerly used for its high sweetening power (estimated to be 110-270 times higher than that of sucrose)
• Maple syrup: obtained by boiling the sap of black maple and sugar maple
• Molasses

Summary

Molasses: TO FIX THE CONCEPTS

Molasses

• Excellent alternative (less caloric) to sucrose
• Highly viscous fluid with a burnt-brown color, obtained by centrifugation (therefore separation) from the sugar
• The gasoline of the mind

Molasses classification Distinction made on the basis of merit:

• white molasses
• black molasses (finest)

Distinction made according to the starting matrix:

• beet molasses
• cane molasses

Molasses: caloric intake 100 grams: 290 Kcal Molasses: Mineral salts and vitamins Values ​​referred to 100 g of molasses:

mineral salts

• iron: 11 mg
• potassium: 1,500 mg
• calcium: 500 mg
• magnesium: 90 mg
• phosphorus: 30 mg
• copper: 1.93 mg

vitamins

• niacin or B3: 4 mg
• vit. B5: 260 mg
• vit. B7: 150 mg

Killer molasses 1919, Boston: huge molasses tank explodes → 21 dead, 150 injured Alternatives to sucrose

• Honey
• Malt
• Stevia
• Maple syrup
• Molasses

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