While not a whole food, blackstrap molasses is a sweetener that is actually good for you. It is a dark thick viscous liquid that comes from processing raw sugar into its more refined form. The name ‘Blackstrap’ originates from the black ‘strap’ or mark that distinguished the casks of molasses from the casks of raw sugar that were shipped as part of the same cargo.

The difference between regular molasses and blackstrap molasses is that regular molasses comes from the first or second boiling of cane sugar syrup while blackstrap molasses comes from the third boiling of the syrup. Iron levels appear to increase 5% in the 3rd boiling.

Unlike white sugar and corn syrup, which are stripped of all nutrients, blackstrap molasses contains significant amounts of health-promoting minerals found in the original whole sugar cane. Blackstrap molasses is extracted during cane sugar production and it is what’s left when white sugar is taken out of sugar cane – so molasses is packed with significant amounts of the health-promoting minerals found in the original whole sugar cane.

It contains a wide variety of nutrients but it is best known for its high iron content. One tablespoon of blackstrap molasses provides up to 20 percent of the daily values of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. It also contains copper, manganese, selenium, chromium, B-vitamins, and protein.

It is often recommended for people with celiac disease to take a tablespoon of blackstrap molasses for its B-vitamin content. Celiacs are often deficient in B vitamins.

Also, molasses contains 4.5mg of iron, nearly half the Recommended Daily Allowance of 10g. It is often recommended to pregnant women; to people suffering from anemia and vegetarians or vegans who because they don’t eat meat need to ensure they get enough iron from other sources.

Dee recommends buying organic, unsulphured blackstrap molasses. It is made from mature sugar cane and does not require treatment with sulphur dioxide, a preservative, used during the extraction process of other types of molasses.

The simplest way to eat molasses is a tablespoon a day diluted in warm water to drink but is most often used to enhance the flavors of stews and baked beans. Here’s a couple of ways to use it:

TRADITIONAL USES FOR BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES:

1 Tablespoon of Unsulphured Blackstrap Molasses in a glass of water first thing in the morning. It can also be mixed into lemon water or vinegar water.

You can sweeten a cup of tea or a bowl of cereal with it.

ICED MOLASSES RECIPE:
1 Tablespoon Unsulfured Blackstrap Molasses
Hot Water
¾ cup unsweetened rice milk, almond milk, or hemp milk
Ice

Add molasses to a glass and add just enough hot water to cover the molasses. Stir until dissolved. Add ice and then top off with the milk. It tastes even yummier if you blend it into a smoothie. Tastes like a nice latte or mocha!

DEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MOLASSES