How to Make Molasses
In the mountains of Appalachia the art of making molasses is alive and well. Molasses, a thick, dark brown syrup made from sugar cane or sorghum cane is a delicious alternative to honey and maple syrup. Rich in iron and other minerals, molasses has a robust taste and distinctive flavor not found in any other syrup.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Cane juice
- Boiling pans
- Cloths for straining
- Molasses skimmer
- Wooden paddles for stirring
- Sterilized caning jars and lids
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1
Cut the sugar or sorghum cane about 5 or 6 inches from the ground in early October.
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2
Remove the seeds by cutting them off at a slant with a sharp knife. Some people let their cane stand for one week before taking it to the mill for squeezing.
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3
Squeeze the cane at mill into a large tub until full.
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4
Strain the juice through clean white cloths wringing as you go to get all the juice.
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5
Pour the juice into a boiler pan approximately 7 feet long, 3 feet wide and 12 inches deep. Each pan will hold about 90 to 100 gallons of juice.
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6
Place pan over a wood fire by resting it on concrete blocks built around the fire. Molasses must cook slowly and evenly to prevent burning. Boil juice for around 6 hours.
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7
Skim the green substance from the top of the juice as it boils with a special molasses strainer.
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8
Pour into sterilized canning jars while hot to keep the molasses from cooling and turning hard. Jars will self seal as the syrup cools.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Making molasses is the most fun when done with good neighbors and friends. Keep warm pans of biscuits around for dipping into warm syrup as you go.
Keep the fires burning evenly and slowly for the entire cooking time. A fire that is too hot will burn molasses very quickly.
When the green top substance begins to turn yellow, the syrup starts to thicken and thread or bubbles appear in the thickened syrup your molasses is done.
Keep young children away from open fires when making molasses.
Watch your pot for the entire cooking time. That's why it's good to bring in family and friends for the day to take turns.
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Comments
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Mithun Rao I can answer all 3 questions from experience. 1. no all you have to do is skim the green off the top. 2. they can last for years, the will get a iron taste but all you have to do is put them in the microwave and heat them up some. 3. Nope no additives.
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increible stuff I have leant about sugar production.
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Mithun Rao
May 11, 2010
I have certain queries, hope any one can answer 1) Should we stir the sugarcane juice constantly while boiling it and let it remain on slow fire? 2) For how many days can we keep this molasses without it getting spoiled. 3) Do we need to add some preservative to it.
