Dear Heloise: I'm having a debate with my mother-in-law concerning blackstrap molasses and regular molasses. She says they are not the same thing, but I think they are the same thing. Which of us is correct?
— Hope W., Bellevue, Washington
Hope: Sorry, but your mother-in-law is correct. Molasses, which comes from the juice of sugar cane or sugar beets, is boiled down to remove the sugar crystals. It’s the number of times the juice is boiled that makes all the difference.
Light or regular molasses is produced after the second boiling. Blackstrap molasses is what comes from a third boiling, and it’s very bitter. You’ll usually see it used in baked beans or barbecue sauce.
Dear Heloise: We remodeled our kitchen this year, and somehow, someway my little book with all of my favorite recipes went missing. Your spaghetti sauce was in there. And now that the weather has gotten so cold, my husband has been asking me to make spaghetti again. Would you please reprint that for us spaghetti lovers?
— Dorothy S., Muskegon, Michigan
Dorothy: This was originally my mother’s recipe and has stood the test of time. It was always popular at my house, too. You’ll need:
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup butter
1 cup finely chopped onions
1 pound ground beef
4 strips bacon, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped fine
3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1 bay leaf, chopped fine
1 tablespoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 teaspoon crushed dry red pepper
2 ounces red wine
2 15-ounce cans whole tomatoes or tomato sauce
1 small can tomato paste
1 cup water
1 finely chopped carrot
Heat olive oil over low heat in a pot large enough to hold all ingredients. Add butter and simmer until melted. Add onions and saute until lightly browned. Add ground beef and bacon; saute until browned, stirring occasionally.
Add garlic, parsley, bay leaf, salt, black pepper and red pepper. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Add wine, cover and “steam” for a few minutes more.
Add tomatoes or tomato sauce, paste and water. Bring the mixture to a boil and add the chopped carrot. Cover and cook over very low heat for an hour, stirring occasionally. Serve over your favorite pasta.
Dear Heloise: What exactly does "made from concentrate" mean?
— Ella A., Anchorage
Ella: It means water was removed from the fruit when harvested causing it to become very concentrated. When it’s ready to be turned into fruit juice, water is again added during the processing stage.
(c) 2021 by King Features Syndicate Inc.
Heloise’s column appears six days a week at washingtonpost.com/advice. Send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
2021, King Features Syndicate
FAQs
Light or regular molasses is produced after the second boiling. Blackstrap molasses is what comes from a third boiling, and it's very bitter. You'll usually see it used in baked beans or barbecue sauce.
Is blackstrap molasses better for you than regular molasses? ›
Blackstrap molasses has been cooked the longest, which means that it is the most heavily caramelized. Blackstrap molasses contains higher vitamin and mineral content as compared to all the types of molasses since it has been concentrated the most by the three boilings.
Is grandma's unsulphured molasses the same as blackstrap? ›
Unsulphured molasses can be light, dark or blackstrap, as long as it hasn't been treated with sulphur dioxide. Most commercially produced molasses is unsulphured.
Why is there a warning on blackstrap molasses? ›
Blackstrap molasses has a lead warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because the processing of molasses infrequently involves using a direct flame with coals that may contain a high amount of the caustic substance potash. The soil in which the sugar cane grows may also contain lead.
Which is better, sulphured or unsulphured molasses? ›
If green, unripe sugarcane is used, it is treated with sulfur dioxide first to preserve it. It can leave a chemical taste in the mouth, so we recommend looking for unsulfured molasses whenever possible.
Who should not take blackstrap molasses? ›
In addition, people with irritable bowel syndrome, kidney issues, and people facing increased potassium and phosphorus levels need to avoid blackstrap molasses. It can also cause adverse effects in people who are allergic to sugar cane.
What is the healthiest molasses to buy? ›
Blackstrap Molasses
It is considered the healthiest of all molasses since it retains the most vitamins and minerals.
Do I need to refrigerate molasses after opening? ›
Molasses is best kept at room temperature between 10°C to 21°C (50 – 70°F). The shelf life of molasses is generally 18 months when kept below 21°C and under reasonably steady conditions of temperature and humidity. Refrigeration or freezing may crystallize the natural sugars and therefore is not recommended.
What does molasses do to your body? ›
The bottom line
Blackstrap molasses is a nutritious byproduct of sugarcane production. Unlike refined sugar, it's naturally rich in antioxidants, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin B6. As such, it may relieve constipation, help treat anemia, and support bone and hair health.
Can I substitute regular molasses for blackstrap molasses? ›
It has a sugar content of only 45% and a whopping 1% of your daily sodium content in every spoonful. For those reasons, it should absolutely never be used in place of molasses unless a recipe specifically calls for blackstrap by name.
While light and dark molasses can be used fairly interchangeably, blackstrap molasses can overpower your baking with off-putting flavors. Until you're familiar with it, look for recipes that specifically call for blackstrap molasses.
Does blackstrap molasses reverse gray hair? ›
And, yes, it may even turn premature grey hair back to its original color. Most folks who use blackstrap molasses for an ailment (or to remove greys) usually either take it by mouth, dissolve it in water or milk, or drizzle over oatmeal.
Is a spoonful of molasses a day good for you? ›
Yes, blackstrap molasses can be beneficial for health due to its high mineral content, including iron, calcium, and magnesium. It may help support bone health, boost iron levels, regulate blood sugar, and provide antioxidants.
Does black strap molasses go bad? ›
There's no cut-and-dry answer to the question of whether molasses goes bad. If you store it in a cool, dark place, it could last for years without obvious signs of spoilage (like mold or an off scent). If the molasses was exposed to moisture or air, the chances of it spoiling sooner go up.
How to tell if molasses is blackstrap? ›
Finally, blackstrap molasses ($11; Amazon) is what you get when you boil molasses three times over — it's the darkest, and most bitter type of molasses. You might find some savory dishes that call for blackstrap molasses, but it's most commonly used in commercial animal feed.
What is the purest form of molasses? ›
As the most concentrated form, blackstrap molasses is created during the third boiling. Thicker and darker than other types of molasses, it has a slightly bitter flavor.
Can you take blackstrap molasses everyday? ›
By slipping this versatile sweetener into your daily meals, you may enjoy a variety of health benefits. These include bone and hair health to tackling anemia and constipation. However, it's key to remember that blackstrap molasses is still a source of sugar and should be eaten in small amounts.
Is there a healthy molasses? ›
Many people use blackstrap molasses in place of refined sugars for health reasons. They're lower on the glycemic index than conventional sweeteners, which means they won't spike your blood sugar as much. This makes blackstrap molasses a great alternative for people working to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
What happens if you only have blackstrap molasses? ›
Every spoonful of blackstrap molasses has a sugar content of 45% and 1% of your daily sodium content. It should never be used in place of molasses unless a recipe specifically calls for it.
Which is healthier maple syrup or blackstrap molasses? ›
Maple syrup has a higher sugar content and a lower mineral content than blackstrap molasses, but its sweet taste is more universal. Two teaspoons of maple syrup provide 22 percent of your daily requirement of manganese, a mineral essential to survival.
