Molasses is one of those ingredients that, with its uniquely deep, caramel-y flavor, signifies the start of cooler weather and an influx of decadent baked goods. Maybe this sticky syrup isn’t a go-to sweetener for you, but you’ve noticed it on the supermarket shelves or in the ingredients list of some of your favorite food products. Since molasses is a form of sugar derived from plants, many would consider it to be vegan. However, whether you’ve been vegan for a while or you’re new to the scene, we should all be aware that not all sugar products can be assumed vegan-friendly.
Molasses is plant-based but falls into a gray area for many vegans. Molasses manufacturing often involves an animal-derived ingredient known as bone char. Most of the molasses is removed before bone char is introduced, but the use of this ingredient may create conflict. The best vegan alternatives are Just Pomegranate Syrup, Joolies Organic Date Syrup, and Kirkland Organic Maple Syrup.
In this article, we will discuss what molasses is, the different types of molasses, proposed health benefits, and review a variety of molasses products. Let’s dig in!
Contents
What is molasses?
Molasses is a by-product of the sugar-making process. It goes through multiple stages of boiling and filtering before becoming the thick, dark syrup we know and love. Molasses has many different uses but is most notably known for its use as a baking ingredient in pies, cookies, candies, dark breads and sauces. It is also the key ingredient that gives brown sugar its amazing flavor, color, and consistency.
How is molasses made?
To make molasses, sugarcane or sugar beets are smashed to release the juices inside. The juice released is then boiled until sugar crystals are formed. Once these sugar crystals are removed from the juice, we are left with a thick syrup known as molasses. When this boiling process is repeated, more sugar is lost and a darker more earthy flavored molasses is produced. This is how the different grades – light, dark, and blackstrap are made. Molasses made from sugarcane is reserved for human consumption, while molasses made from sugar beets is reserved for animal feeds and other industrial uses.
Different Types of Molasses
Each variety of molasses has its own unique flavor profile and varies slightly in nutrition content. Let’s explore a few different molasses varieties and their nutritional content.
Light Molasses
Light molasses is the syrup produced by the first and shortest duration of boiling of the sugarcane. It is the lightest and sweetest molasses variety.
Ingredients:
- Molasses
Nutritional Information (per 1 tablespoon):
- Calories: 70
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 16g
- Total Sugars: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Dark Molasses
Dark molasses is one of the more common types of molasses found in the United States. It has a stronger flavor than light molasses and is produced after the sugarcane juice has been boiled for a second time.
Ingredients:
- Molasses
Nutritional Information (per 1 tablespoon):
- Calories: 45
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 12g
- Total Sugars: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap Molasses results from the third and longest boiling phase in the molasses making process. This form of molasses is often referred to as the healthiest form of the syrup as it contains lots of vitamins and minerals such as copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, and iron. In addition, it does have a lower glycemic index due to the large amount of sugar extracted during the boiling process. This simply means that it will not spike your blood sugar as rapidly as some other sweeteners may.
Ingredients:
- Molasses
Nutritional Information (per 1 tablespoon):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 14g
- Total Sugars: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
Sulfured vs Unsulfured Molasses
Whether or not a molasses is sulfured or unsulfured simply refers to the way in which the sugarcane is ripened before processing and doesn’t necessarily alter the nutritional profile. When molasses is made from sun-ripened sugarcane and is fully mature, it is considered to be unsulfured. When sugarcane is not yet ripe, sulfur dioxide is added to preserve it until it is ready to be processed. Many consider unsulfured to be a better tasting and healthier alternative due to the lack of chemicals used.
Is Molasses Healthy?
Molasses is a natural sweetener that contains a decent amount of vitamins and minerals. In just one tablespoon of light and dark varieties, molasses provides 8% vitamin B6, 13% manganese, 12% magnesium, 11% copper, 6% selenium, 6% potassium, 3% calcium, and 5% iron of your recommended daily values. These vitamins and minerals are vital to both heart and bone health.
Compared to its light and dark counterparts, blackstrap molasses is purported to be the healthiest due to its reduced sugar levels and nutrient content. Because it is boiled the longest, the blackstrap variety is more concentrated and therefore contains more antioxidants and essential nutrients than other types of molasses. The duration of the boiling process also removes a larger amount of sugar than light and dark molasses. This makes it a lower sugar option, but also creates that signature bitter taste of blackstrap molasses.
Due to its nutritional content, all molasses varieties have been considered a healthier alternative to refined sugar. While it is a natural sweetener that provides some vitamins and minerals, it is still sugar and excessive sugar intake can negatively impact your health.
Why Would Molasses be Considered Non-Vegan?
Oftentimes in the sugar-making process a product known as bone char is used to make the sugar as white as possible. The bone char is used somewhere in the middle of the process. This creates a product that utilizes animal-derived ingredients, which, in theory, would make molasses non-vegan. Agencies such as The Vegetarian Resource Group state that “95% of the molasses is removed before the sugar travels through the bone char. Any molasses that has gone through the char is used in animal feed or for fermentation purposes.” Regardless of this fact, the case can still be made that molasses is the result of a production that utilizes animal-derived ingredients, and thus is not vegan-friendly. Because there can be arguments made for molasses being vegan and non-vegan, it truly leaves the final decision to the consumer and their preferences. Sticking with organic molasses brands or contacting the manufacturer directly will give you the clarity needed to choose 100% vegan products.
Quality Vegan Molasses Products
It is difficult to determine whether a molasses product is vegan simply by looking at the ingredients and nutrition facts label. It’s best to stick to organic molasses brands or brands that also produce sugar that is bone char free. Let’s review a few of my favorite vegan molasses brands along with their nutritional content.
Brer Rabit Molasses
This brand prides itself on creating only the finest quality vegan, unsulfured molasses. Their molasses varieties contain no preservatives, artificial flavors, and no artificial colors.
Ingredients:
- Molasses
Nutritional Information (per 1 tablespoon):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 15g
- Total Sugars: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Wholesome Organic Molasses
This variety of molasses is guaranteed vegan, organic, and unsulfured. It is also Grade A, meaning that the highest quality of sugarcane was used.
Ingredients:
- Organic Blackstrap Molasses
Nutritional Information (per 1 tablespoon):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 14g
- Total Sugars: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Plantation Organic Blackstrap Molasses
This brand is not only vegan and organic, but is also certified Kosher. This blackstrap molasses is relatively low in calories and sugar compared to the other molasses brands listed, is a good source of potassium and an excellent source of both calcium and iron.
Ingredients:
- Organic Blackstrap Molasses
Nutritional Information (per 1 tablespoon):
- Calories: 42
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 11g
- Total Sugars: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Alternative Options to Molasses
The deep, rich flavors characteristic of molasses may not be for everyone. If that sounds like you, never fear! There are some pretty great alternatives on the market today for you to try.
Just Pomegranate Syrup
This molasses alternative truly packs a big nutritional punch. Made from pomegranate juice and medjool dates, this syrup provides a tangy sweetness sure to impress. While molasses is already known for its nutrient and antioxidant profile, this syrup is no exception.
In just one tablespoon you can get 4% of your daily recommended value of potassium and boost your antioxidant intake. Free from refined sugar and artificial colors and additives, this molasses alternative could be the next best staple to add to your pantry.
Ingredients:
- Organic Blackstrap Molasses
Nutritional Information (per 1 tablespoon, 0.6 oz.):
- Calories: 50
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 12g
- Total Sugars: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Kirkland Signature Organic Maple Syrup
Another excellent alternative to molasses is 100% Pure Maple Syrup. Molasses provides a sweet yet bitter taste, while pure maple syrup is all sweetness with notes of golden sugar and caramel. Like molasses, it is high in antioxidants and contains various nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Maple syrup does have a similar nutrition profile to that of molasses with around 55 calories and approximately 12g of sugar per tablespoon. This brand of maple syrup is USDA certified organic, Kosher, and gluten free.
Ingredients:
- 100% Pure Organic Maple Syrup
Nutritional Information (per 1 tablespoon):
- Calories: 55
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 13.5g
- Total Sugars: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Joolies Organic Date Syrup
Joolies Organic Date syrup provides a super sweet alternative to molasses with only a few more grams of sugar per serving. This product is USDA certified organic, Kosher, vegan, and gluten-free all while packing in nutrients like copper, magnesium, potassium, and iron. This date syrup could be an excellent alternative to molasses or just a fun product to give a try when you’re feeling adventurous!
Ingredients:
- Whole Organic Medjool Dates
Nutritional Information (per 1 tablespoon):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 15g
- Total Sugars: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Main Takeaways
Molasses comes in several different varieties, each offering its own unique flavor profile. It can be a healthier option to replace your table sugar and offer unrivaled taste and texture to all of your baked goods. Whether or not molasses is truly vegan comes down to how the consumer views the use of bone char in the sugar refining process. To be certain you are consuming a purely vegan molasses, it is important to choose organic molasses brands or reach out directly to manufacturers for clarification.
Related Questions
Is Molasses Dairy-Free?
All varieties of molasses are dairy-free. There are no milk-derived ingredients added during the production process, thus making it a sweetener option for those who follow a dairy-free diet.
Is Molasses Gluten-Free?
Yes, all varieties of molasses are naturally gluten-free. To ensure that no gluten-containing ingredients have been added, scan the ingredients list to check that only one ingredient is present – sugar or molasses.
What is treacle and is it the same thing as molasses?
The term ‘treacle’ is often used to describe the European equivalent of molasses, but it is produced in a slightly different way. This sweet syrup is also a by-product of sugar processing, but it is removed from the boiling process earlier than molasses. This increases the amount of sugar remaining in the syrup and therefore creates a sweeter, less bitter product when compared to molasses. Treacle ranges in color from a light gold to dark “black treacle”.
Is Molasses Paleo?
Yes! Molasses is paleo-compliant. Unlike table sugar, molasses retains many of its natural nutrients and antioxidants through the refining process. Because it is just about as close to the source as possible, it is an excellent sweetening option for those following a paleo lifestyle.