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Natures Choice Black Strap Molasses
Molasses is a thick, dark, treacle made by boiling sugar cane. Three grades of molasses are typically sold, namely mild or first stage, dark or second stage, and Black strap. These are all various products of different stages of the sugar cane boiling. They each vary in sweetness and colour, and can either be sulfured or unsulfured.
Sulfured molasses is the product of refining young green sugar cane, where adding sulfur dioxide is required for this process. When mature sugar cane is boiled down, no sulfur dioxide is added, hence it is called unsulfured.
All varieties of molasses are rich in nutrients such as B Vitamins, Copper, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Pantothenic Acid, Inositol and Vitamin E, but Black Strap is touted as the most nutritious of the lot.
Black Strap Molasses is the product of the third boiling of sugar syrup. Most of the sweetness is removed when the remaining sucrose crystallizes, giving Black strap its distinct bitter flavour. Although lower in refined sugars, Black Strap has a similar amount of calories to table sugar. But remember that it provides a cocktail of nutrients, including trace minerals and minerals, that table sugar does not provide.
Molasses is notably rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron, but it is a better source of calcium than it is a source of iron, as the calcium antagonizes the absorption of iron.
Dissolve 2-3 tsp in a warm cup of milk to increase you calcium intake, and sooth you to bed. Alternatively, dissolve it into hot water, add a little lemon, and drink on an empty stomach in the mornings to boost energy, and encourage digestion.
Black strap Molasses can also be drizzled onto muesli, breakfast porridge, or added into pies, stir fries, baked breads, or salad dressings. Note that baking soda is required in most baking recipes where molasses is an ingredient. This ensures proper leavening.
CAUTION: Diabetics should not use molasses.
Similar Products:
Natures Choice Sweet Molasses, Nu Life Raw Honey, and Earth Barley Malt Extract are all tasty alternatives to black strap molasses.
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