In many cases, the byproduct of a refining process is bad news. This is the case with petroleum jelly, vegetable oils, and many other substances. However, one exception to this rule is blackstrap molasses.
My only childhood memories of this strongly flavored syrup involved making cookies or ornaments once a year, but it turns out that molasses is great for much more than gingerbread cookies.
What is Molasses?
Technically, molasses is the byproduct of the sugarcane refining process. When sugar cane is mashed and boiled, cane syrup is created. A second boiling yields molasses and a third leaves blackstrap molasses.
It is important to note the distinction that the “refining” process refers to just boiling and not any other chemical process which is needed in many types of refining. Refining often removes beneficial parts of a substance, but in this case, the beneficial parts of the plant are retained and some sources would even consider it a superfood, high in Iron, B-vitamins, Magnesium and other nutrients.
Different Types of Molasses
There are several different types to choose from:
- Light– Produced by the first boiling of the sugar cane (or sugar beet). This type is lighter in color and can be sulphured or un-sulphured. Sulphured Molasses treated with sulphur dioxide acts as a preservative. Typically this type is extracted from young sugar cane, and the preservative is needed. Some people have gene mutations that make them react negatively to sulphur, so this is typically not the best type to use. Un-sulphured is extracted from ripe sugarcane that does not need a preservative. It is also sometimes referred to as “Barbados” or “mild” molasses.
- Dark– This is the product of the second boiling after more sugar has been extracted. It is less sweet than light molasses and is often used in cooking and baking. This is the type that most people are familiar with as it is often used in gingerbread cookies.
- Blackstrap– The healthiest form that is produced by the third boiling. It contains the most vitamins and nutrients, but is also the least sweet and does not work well in many recipes. Blackstrap molasses is the highest in Iron, Manganese, Copper, Magnesium, Calcium and other nutrients and is the type I use most often.
Blackstrap Molasses Benefits
Personally, I’ve been making a molasses based switchel recipe that has helped keep my energy levels, digestion, and iron levels great during pregnancy, but there are many additional benefits to blackstrap molasses as well:
Iron Boost
Blackstrap molasses is one of the few great non-animal sources of iron. Many doctors and midwives recommend 1-2 tablespoons a day for those with anemia or related disorders. The high iron content and presence of minerals like magnesium make it helpful for menstrual troubles and pregnant women. There are many accounts of people who used molasses to help remedy anemia and also noticed improved skin and new hair growth from the additional minerals.
TIP: I don’t love the taste by itself, so I mix it into coffee, tea, or switchel to consume it daily. I always monitor my blood sugar during pregnancy (instead of consuming the glucose drink) and molasses does not negatively affect my blood sugar at all.
For Digestion
Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and manganese also make molasses beneficial for digestion. Some people who suffer from constipation notice relief from consuming 1-2 tablespoons in warm water each day. It is also a natural stool softener and is exceptionally beneficial after pregnancy to help return digestion to normal and boost iron levels.
For Hair
Blackstrap molasses contains copper which is important for hair growth. Used internally and externally it may help improve hair growth and some people even report that it helped reverse graying hair and brought back their natural hair color when used regularly.
I definitely wouldn’t recommend pouring it directly on hair, but I like diluting it with equal parts water and pouring on hair as a 20-minute nourishing hair mask. (Note: It will darken hair slightly for a short time!)
Low-Sugar Sweetener
Though blackstrap molasses isn’t exceptionally sweet, it can be a substitute for sugar or syrup in some recipes or can be added to baked goods to boost the nutritional profile. I like using a 50:50 mixture with maple syrup as a sweetener in many of my recipes.
How to Use Blackstrap Molasses
Molasses is naturally not overly sweet, but it has an amazingly rich flavor that can add depth to many dishes. I enjoy using it mixed with another natural sweetener (like honey or maple syrup) in recipes or as a stand alone sweetener, and have also experimented with using it in the following:
- Marinades: A couple tablespoons of blackstrap is a great addition to a meat marinade and adds a tiny hint of sweetness and a warm flavor.
- Dressings: In vinaigrettes and dressings, a tablespoon or two adds great flavor.
- Sauces: A delicious addition to barbecue sauces and other homemade sauces.
- Smoothies: A tablespoon or more doesn’t usually change the taste of smoothies and is a great way to add nutrients.
Molasses also has a place in natural beauty remedies as it is great for skin and hair. It can be used to make an intensive moisturizing hair conditioning mask or directly on the face as a natural tightening face wash.
Best Kind of Molasses Use
Blackstrap molasses has the highest nutrient content and the lowest amount of natural sugar, so it is the preferred type of molasses to use in many cases. I personally like this un-sulphured organic blackstrap molasses which is naturally sweet and not bitter.
Do you ever use molasses? What is your favorite way to use it?
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I add Blackstrap Molasses to all of my smoothies, just like you said. It really doesn’t change the taste at all and I need the minerals it has in it! I had trouble with my periods, irregular frequency and excessive bleeding (to put it mildly), and was able to totally fix that by adjusting what I ate (or didn’t eat) and by adding magnesium, etc. into my diet and topically. Eating Blackstrap molasses is one way that I make sure I stay evened out with my hormones. Being able to fix problems like this so easily with food and/or supplements still amazes me!
Carisa,
My 17 year old daughter suffers terribly with her menstrual cycle. Where would you suggest we look for information to help her naturally? Any help is greatly appreciated.
I’ve found a lot of good information on the Flo living website. She (Alisa Vitti) uses diet to help people balance their hormones. She also has a book called Women Code. I hope I don’t sound like an advertisement for her, as I’ve posted about this before, I just think she has some great information about hormones for ladies pre-menopause. I’ve also read The Hormone Cure book by Dr. Gottfried, a hormone book by Dr. Tami Meraglia, and used many websites like hormonesbalance .com. I hope some of these help!
Hi Andrea, I can’t recommend anything food wise but if your daughter uses tampons I can recommend a Mooncup and cotton washable pads (not as gross as it sounds).
I live in the UK and bought them from Earthwise Girls. I’m 44 and have been using them both since July 2014. After being regular for years, my cycles went a little haywire around 18 months ago. I used to get a lot of pain in my lower back and some cramping on the first day and would bleed for up to 5 days (tailing off at the end). Now the pain is minimal (just a minor ache for the first day), no cramping and bleeding for less time.
Worth looking into?
Raspberry leaf tea may help.
Crampbark tincture. Amazing. Try it at the very least. Start as soon as period commences. Every 4 hrs is how we did it. Im not sure it took the pain completely away but at least ur not curled up in a ball wanting to die. My excruciating period cramps did not stop till i had my 1st baby lol
Wish i had had crampbark!!!
Hi, Carissa! I would love to hear which foods helped you and how you added magnesium into your diet. I have always had problems with periods (heaviness and length) and am searching for natural ways to help. I tend to get overwhelmed ans don’t know where to start. Thanks!
I would love to hear your dietary solutions, also. Just started having the same issues with heavy bleeding!
I used to have very heavy (~350ml) periods, and irregular cycles (22-35days) for 20years. For the last three years since taking vitamin A 10,000IU (from fish liver oil) per day flow has halved and cycles are 28/29 days. I take vit D3 2000IU to balance the vit A and vit K2 to balance the vit D but it’s the A does the trick- if I leave off for a month I’m back where I was. I also started taking magnesium and collagen and they have helped with PMS symptoms and cramping. I also second the recommendation to check out menstrual cups- for avoiding bleaching chemicals / toxic shock and for the environmantal benefits as well as the reduced cramping. Worth persevering if don’t work at first- try different brands / sizes and learn how to correctly position.
Thanks for the info.!
So let me get this straight…with each boiling a greater amount of sugar is extracted but the taste becomes more bitter/less sweet?! Interesting.
Yes, more sugar is extracted FROM the molasses, making it less sweet 🙂
How long will molasses last. I have some that is about two years old. Do you think it is still good.
We like to use it on oatmeal! Great way for kids to eat it.
I put mine in oatmeal as well, but I add some peanut butter too. It’s great!
I buy Plantation Blackstrap molasses at Whole Foods for about $8.
How do you do that hair mask?
Start with dry or wet hair?
Equal parts, yes. But about how many Tbsp. do you need to coat your long hair?
I’d like to try this!
Just wanted to know. Where can I buy BLACK STRAP MOLASSES?
The only health food store I know is Whole Foods.
She linked the kind she uses. It can be purchased on Amazon and is available with Prime shipping. Might be a good option if you can’t find a good quality brand in your area!
I’ve bought the same kind she uses from my local WF
I just bought some in wegmans. Whoe foods has to have it too.
I get mine through a food coop called Bountiful Baskets when it is offered. You might also check with Azure Standard.
BiMart carries it.
The Hy-Vee Store near me carries it.
Hey, so I thought vitamins were heat sensitive (however, minerals are not)? How could blackstrap be high(est) in b vitamins if it’s cooked the longest??
I’ve been wondering the same thing. One would think that all the boiling of the sugar cane would remove most of the vitamins, leaving an end-product high in minerals but low in vitamins.
I can’t seem to find any articles about it on the internet, would love to know!
I bought some of the Whole Foods molasses because it was the best I could do- Although it was organic, it came in a plastic bottle which I was NOT happy about. Is it contaminated because of leaked out chemicals? Should I toss it? Or if I transfer it to a glass container could it be salvaged–though it would be a mess to transfer it to another container? I am trying to avoid toxins when possible as I have inflammation and my child has health issues as well. I appreciate any ideas you would have. BTW- tried your coconut milk recipe and your chia pudding recipe and have immensely enjoyed both., Thank you-
Hi Olga,
Try Plantation Blackstrap Molasses. It can be bought at Wholefoods or Amazon, comes in a glass bottle and has an organic option.
I have an allergy to sulphur as mentioned above and am interested to know what kind of a gene mutation I have …also as you mention. Does it affect any other response in my body and can I do anything holistically about it?
I am interested in the response to this, as my husband has a sulfa allergy. (I don’t know much about it, is it the same as sulphur?)
Sulfur and sulfa are not the same. I have a sulfa allergy. Sulfur is found in things like garlic, and is what gives it its incredible immune-boosting qualities. Sulfur content is higher in organically-grown garlic!
It is likely a CBS gene mutation, but maybe google that.