sweeteners

Molasses

Melassa: what is it?

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

Certainly of scarce availability, molasses turns out to be an excellent alternative (less caloric) to sucrose, the sweetener currently best selling, along with honey.

Black and white molasses

On the market there is not a single type of molasses: a first distinction is made on the basis of the value (white and black molasses), a second, instead, 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 extraction of sugar. The taste is less pleasant and more bitter than white molasses.
  3. Beetroot molasses: the use is reserved exclusively for the preparation of animal feeds and 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 plant typical 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 is even 20%!

Nutritional values

Molasses is a sort of gasoline for the mind, given its 290 Kcal per 100 grams.

Considering that black molasses is undoubtedly the most valuable "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 the barrel, the nutrients 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 iron RDA (11 mg); molasses is also a source of potassium (1, 500 mg), calcium (500 mg) and magnesium (90 mg). The quantity of phosphorus (30 mg) and copper (1.93 mg) is rather good.

Molasses is a mine of vitamins: it is very rich in B-complex vitamins in general, and in vitamin PP (niacin or B3: 4 mg), pantothenic acid (vit. B5: 260 mg), inositol (vit. B7: 150 mg) in particular.

Strictly speaking, molasses is considered a food of worthy consideration in vitaminic and mineral terms. [from JI Rodale's The Complete Book of Minerals for Health ]

"Murderous molasses"

The title of the paragraph is not a joke, nor a euphemism: in the story that will be described the molasses has been responsible for the death of many people. It was 1919: in Boston a huge tank accidentally broke out containing a quantity of molasses estimated between 87, 000 and 95, 000 hectoliters; a catastrophic event developed by thermal and structural defects within the structure. 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 wounded.

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 complexion, obtained by centrifugation (and therefore separation) from sugar
  • The gas of the mind
Classification of molasses Distinction made on the basis of value:
  • white molasses
  • black molasses (more valuable)
Distinction made according to the starting matrix:
  • beetroot molasses
  • cane molasses
Molasses: caloric intake 100 grams: 290 Kcal
Molasses: Mineral salts and vitamins Values ​​referring 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
Assassin molasses 1919, Boston: explosion of a huge molasses tank → 21 dead, 150 wounded
Alternatives to sucrose
  • Honey
  • Malt
  • Stevia
  • Maple syrup
  • Molasses