Molasses is a thick syrup that people use as a sweetener. It is a by-product of the sugar-making process, and it most commonly comes from crushed sugar cane or sugar beets, but can also be made from sorghum, pomegranates, carob, and dates. First, manufacturers crush sugar cane or sugar beets to extract the juice. They then boil down the juice to form sugar crystals. Molasses is the thick, brown syrup left over after they remove the crystals from the juice.
Types
Light molasses - this is the syrup from the first boiling. It has the lightest colour and the sweetest taste, commonly used in baking.
Dark molasses - this is the syrup from the second boiling. It is thicker, darker, and less sweet. It can still be used in baking, but it gives foods a distinct colour and flavour.
Blackstrap molasses - this is the syrup from the third boiling. It is the thickest, most concentrated and darkest type of molasses and tends to have a bitter taste.
Unlike refined sugar, molasses do contain some vitamins and minerals -
One tablespoon — 20 grams (g) of molasses contains the following amounts of a person’s daily values of each nutrient:
manganese: 13%
magnesium: 12%
copper: 11%
vitamin B-6: 8%
selenium: 6%
potassium: 6%
iron: 5%
calcium: 3%
Molasses are also a good source of calcium, iron, selenium, and copper, all of which help maintain bone health, which can also be found in nuts, seeds and dairy products.
One tablespoon also contains about 58 calories, all of which come from carbs, which is mostly sugar, in excess, sugar can be harmful to health, being linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Research is also linking it to premature aging, especially of the skin.
That’s the basic mundane information, if you want more follow the links provided below.
Magical uses for molasses
My thoughts are that this is a helpful addition to jar and bottle spells, as well as in recipes, to bind/stick your intentions.
The extra properties will be connected to the source (sugar cane, beet, dates etc.), but in general -
Can be used where you need strength, endurance or stamina.
Added to spells for abundance, prosperity, financial security.
Use to sweeten someone’s feelings towards you, or any deals you are making.
Use to maintain healthy relationships.
Thick, sweet and sticky – use your intuition (and imagination !!) to think what molasses could be useful for.
Sources and further reading –
A Kitchen Witch’s World of Magical Food by Rachel Patterson
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