...

Molasses – what is it and how to replace it. How to make sugar molasses at home – recipes with photos

Molasses is a rich, caramel-hued syrup made from boiled sugar cane juice or sugar beet juice. Used mostly in baking, sauces, and food preservation, it can be used as a sugar-free sweetener and as a textural enhancer. Its distinctive flavor makes it a stand-out ingredient in a wide range of dishes. This article highlights helpful information on how to replace it in recipes,how to make sugar molasses at home, and provides several recipes with photos to help you get the best out of this amazing ingredient.

The content of the article



In everyday life, molasses is not considered a hydrolysis product. It is known as a honey-flavored syrup that can sweeten any meal. The facets of its application go far beyond the confectionery sector. Professionals, amateur culinary specialists and technologists of the alcohol industry know Patoka.

What is molasses

If you know how to boil juice, then you can easily cope with the preparation of molasses (maltodextrin and dextrinmaltose). Molasses is a syrup product that is obtained when starch is saccharified. The process is called acid hydrolysis with filtration and boiling of syrup. In the Caucasus, the sugar product was given the name – musales. He is known among culinary specialists because of his sweet taste as honey. The benefits of molasses are the content of trace elements and vitamins of group B. The harm is elevated sugar levels, so people with diabetes should not use it.

What happens molasses

Molasses – what is this supplement? The by-product of sugar processing varies both in color and in the raw materials used in its production. Two types of molasses are known all over the world: light and black. The first is made from starch, the second from beets and sugar. Types of starch for making light molasses:

  • potato;
  • corn;
  • wheat;
  • rye;
  • barley;
  • sorghum;
  • tapioca.

Molasses in a spoon and plate

Molasses starch

Earlier, employees of the Russian food industry produced the only type of starch syrup – caramel. Starch syrup is a type of light molasses. To date, starch syrup is divided into 4 types and they depend on the percentage of carbohydrates in it:

  • glucose;
  • maltose;
  • highly sugared;
  • low sugar.

Maltose molasses

If you saccharify raw materials containing starch (cornmeal or barley malt) with enzymes, you get maltose syrup. It is used both in the production of bread and confectionery, and in the production of soft drinks and soften alcohol. Maltose syrup is appreciated because of its characteristics: bright chocolate color, sweetness and slightly malt smell.

Molasses

Molasses is a product of cane or beet sugar processing. The Portuguese name for molasses is due to the word “melaco” (honey). By its qualities, molasses is more like a food supplement. It is like sugar, but with the most trace elements. Homemade black molasses is used to make gingerbread cookies..

Molasses caramel

Sweet caramel syrup consists of glucose, maltose, maltotriose and other substances. Scope – the food industry to regulate the crystallization of sugar. Often added to childhood candies and caramel sweets – toffee.

Characteristics of caramel molasses:

  • viscosity;
  • harmonious combination with milk protein – you get excellent taste and color;
  • adding to the treats with a high content of dry ingredients for a long time prolongs their taste;
  • regulates the crystallization of lactose in milk.

Caramel molasses in a glass bowl and on a spoon

Corn syrup

Sweetener corn (100 grams) contains 316 kcal. Corn starch sticks like to be added to jelly candies, marmalade, to fillings because of its ability to caramelize. Corn starch – inexpensive, which reduces the cost of preparing a confectionery product.

Characteristics of corn syrup:

  • lowers the freezing point of the product;
  • makes shelf life longer.

Beet molasses

Sugar production waste – black molasses, was made according to the technology invented back in the distant VI century in France. The scientist was called Olivier de Serra. Recommendations for the proper use of sugar beets were found only in 1747. But the use of beet molasses began to gain momentum only in 1800. Sugar product is excellent for coloring sugar cubes and is used in cooking, alcohol production (whiskey “Hong Thong”).

Ingredients for making half a can of beet molasses:

  • beets – 1 pc.;
  • water -? Art;
  • sugar – 6-7 tbsp. l.

Stages of preparation:

  1. Squeeze the juice from the beets using a juicer.
  2. Put a saucepan with juice on the stove and add sugar.
  3. Simmer until desired thickening..

If you look at a photo of beet molasses, then after cooking it should:

  • look like liquid syrup;
  • have a dark brown shade;
  • have a taste of burnt sugar.

Beet molasses in a spoon

White molasses

This sweetener has gained its name thanks to refined sugar, which acts as a raw material in its production. There are subtypes of white molasses, which are made from corn, potato and other starch. White is one of the two most famous types of sugar product. White molasses is best used for making all kinds of syrups.

Ingredients for white (refined) sweetener:

  • refined sugar – 350 g;
  • water – 150 ml;
  • citric acid – 2 g;
  • baking soda – 1.5 g.

Cooking process:

  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add refined sugar, let it dissolve.
  2. When it boils again, add acid and cover.
  3. Leave to languish for 45 minutes and turn off.
  4. When the mass has cooled, add diluted soda.
  5. Ready for use in a quarter of an hour when the foam subsides.

Reed treacle

This molasses is formed in the production of cane sugar as a by-product. Whether its color is dark brown or slightly lighter depends on the quality of the cane raw material. Mainly because of its properties, cane molasses is used in moonshine factories, and in cooking – in the preparation of fruit syrups (melon, watermelon, grape, etc.)

How to make reed molasses:

  1. Refined sugarcane is crushed and squeezed juice, which then goes to crystallization.
  2. It turns out sugar crystals and the remainder of the liquid form – light molasses. It still contains a lot of sugar.
  3. Then add water and recycle.
  4. Another crystallization comes out and the secondary residue turns dark.

Characteristics of reed molasses:

  • viscous;
  • syrupy liquid;
  • peculiar smell;
  • bittersweet taste;
  • saturated with fructose and glucose.

Sugarcane stalks and sugar

What is molasses in cooking

The palatability of a dish and its appearance depend on the ingredients added to it. Sweetener, sweetener – these are synonyms for molasses, which explain its use in cooking. In small doses, it is added to change the color of the dish, and in large doses – for taste preferences. The additive is used in various areas of cooking because of its advantages over sugar:

  • the carbohydrate composition of molasses is easily absorbed;
  • lowers the freezing point of the product;
  • increases shelf life;
  • reduces the cost of production;
  • improves solubility of sucrose;
  • protects products from crystallization.

List of applications of sugar offal in the food industry:

  • confectionery sweets, cookies, marshmallows, gingerbread cookies;
  • jam, jam, caramel, pastille, jam, gin;
  • many varieties of bread;
  • canned food;
  • bakery products;
  • syrups for desserts;
  • ice cream;
  • brewing;
  • sports and diet food;
  • sauces.

How to make molasses

Having sweet syrup like honey is very important in cooking. And if you were not able to get molasses, then you can easily make it yourself. Why is she so popular? Not only does the additive radically change the taste, it also adds softness to sweets, prolonging freshness. After reading the recipe below, the question of how to make molasses at home will disappear by itself.

Ingredients for making a white sugar substitute:

  • water – 150 ml;
  • sugar – 350 g;
  • citric acid – 2 g;
  • baking soda – 1.5 g.

Everything must be done strictly in accordance with the recipe:

  1. You need to take a small pot and pour cold water. Put on fire and wait until it boils..
  2. Then stirring constantly, add sugar. Let it boil again.
  3. Add the required amount of citric acid, reduce heat and cook under the lid for about 45 minutes.
  4. The syrup is almost ready, just let it cool a little.
  5. Next, dilute baking soda in water and add to the syrup, mixing well.
  6. If the mixture began to foam, then you did everything right.
  7. After 15 minutes the foam should subside.
  8. If the foam has not disappeared, then you can remove it with a spoon. The treacle is stored in the cellar or in the refrigerator, in glass dishes.

Prepared molasses in a bowl

Where to buy molasses

It is better to buy honey from familiar beekeepers, and sugar in ordinary supermarkets. Real molasses is rarely seen in such places. It is better to order it in online stores or find a highly specialized store. It is important that the storage location of the product is dry and cool. These conditions will protect the sweetness from mold and help maintain beneficial properties..

Molasses price

The cost in Russia and the regions depends on the type of product, mass and manufacturer. Delivery from farther places is much more expensive. It is best to purchase the product in large specialized companies than from private unverified persons. It is also important to have a certificate of quality molasses in accordance with the type. For example: for starch it is important to comply with GOST R 52060-2003.

Product Release form Manufacturer Cost
Beet molasses 1 ton Sky Agrolayn, OOO, Moscow 5 000 rubles
starchy

caramel

1 kg Leader, LLC, Ufa 35 rubles
Reed molasses 1 kg Primorsky Sugar Retail, LLC, Vladivostok 25 rubles
Dry corn 1 kg Rusproduct, OOO, Moscow 89 rubles

How to replace molasses

What to do if molasses is not at hand? No need to give up the dish, but it is important to know in advance how to replace this ingredient. When replacing molasses with another product, it is necessary to add soda equal to the number of expected glasses. For these purposes, perfect:

  • regular sugar, dosage: 1 kg of molasses is equal to 0.75 kg of sugar;
  • Muscovado (dark sugar) – do you need a glass of molasses? st brown sugar;
  • invert syrup (water, sugar and citric acid);
  • honey;
  • maple glucose syrup.

Maple Syrup Bottle

Rate the article
( No ratings yet )
Recommender Great
Tips on any topic from experts
Comments: 2
  1. Clementine

    What are the alternatives to molasses in recipes? Can you provide some substitute options and their equivalent measurements? Additionally, can you share step-by-step instructions on how to make molasses at home, along with accompanying photos for reference?

    Reply
  2. Grace Murphy

    What exactly is molasses and how can it be substituted in recipes? Additionally, could you share any homemade recipes for sugar molasses, preferably with step-by-step instructions and accompanying photos? I’m quite curious to learn more about this ingredient and how to incorporate it into my cooking. Thanks!

    Reply
Add comments