Organic molasses is a syrup made from certified organic sugar cane. Sugar cane leaves are harvested, mashed, and boiled, separating the sugar from the thick syrup and creating molasses. Molasses is a natural sweetener used for cooking at home and by manufacturers of sweets and snacks. There are three popular types of molasses — first, second, and blackstrap molasses. Each type has a different flavor.
Manufacturers process and bottle organic molasses to use in cooking and baking. The syrup can be used in its pure form for a variety of purposes, such as sweetening drinks, adding flavor to cereals and oatmeal, and as a sweetener for baking and cooking. Molasses is also a common ingredient in pre-made foods such as granola bars and cookies. Organic pet bakeries often add molasses to dog treats and pet foods to give them a natural sweetness without adding harmful ingredients to the product.
The process of dividing sugar creates three types of molasses. When pure cane sugar leaves are boiled, it produces first molasses. First molasses has the highest sugar content and the sweetest flavor. Second molasses is produced when the leaves are boiled a second time. This type of molasses has a darker color and slightly bitter taste.
Blackstrap molasses is produced when sugar cane leaves are boiled for the third time. Boiling the leaves the first two times eliminates most of the sugar, giving blackstrap molasses a crisp, bitter taste. While this type of molasses does not provide much sweetness, it does have a rich flavor and a dark coloring that can be used as a baking or cooking ingredient.
Certain types of molasses contain sulphur. When sugar cane leaves are picked green or at an immature stage, farmers treat the leaves with sulphur, and some sulphur appears in the final product. Organic molasses brands do not have sulphur. Certified organic famers allow the sugar cane to reach maturity and do not apply chemicals or other treating agents to the sugar cane leaves before processing. As a result, consumers get a syrup made from purely organic sugar cane and no byproducts or fillers.
Organic molasses is better for a consumer’s health than refined sugars, which are high in simple carbohydrates, or artificial sweeteners, which contain chemicals and other additives. Blackstrap molasses has other health benefits as well, as it contains nutrients and minerals from the sugar cane. This type of molasses provides calcium and iron as well as other minerals.