This article provides an overview of molasses, what it tastes like, its availability, alternative names, and of course what other ingredients make molasses substitutes.
What is Molasses?
Molasses is a thick and coarse liquid syrup, made from the refining process of sugarcane or beet sugar. In simpler terms, the syrup left over from sugar crystals, after it has been boiled in water. The main 3 kinds are light, dark, and blackstrap. Molasses is most commonly known for being the main component in brown sugar and is also one of the primary ingredients used in the distillery process of rum.
What does Molasses taste like?
Molasses have a warm and sweet taste, that is somewhat smokey in flavor. There are also notes of honey, maple, vanilla, and even ginger. Molasses come in various types with the darkest having the most robust taste and the lighter having the mildest flavor.
Is Molasses readily available in Supermarkets?
Molasses should be available in major supermarkets in the baking aisle, usually near the other liquid ingredients like corn syrup or in the breakfast aisle near the maple syrups. You may struggle to find molasses in local convenience stores.
What are some alternative names for Molasses?
There are no alternative names for molasses, however, it may be referred to as liquid sugar, which is technically a different product.
What is a good substitute for Molasses in recipes?
Luckily, there are a number of great substitutes for molasses. These include:
- Maple syrup
- Honey
- Dark Corn Syrup
- The best substitute for Molasses would be brown sugar and hot water slurry