How Long Does Molasses Last (And Why)?

Exact Answer: Up To 2 Years

Molasses are a form of sweet eatables which are produced by refining Sugar Cane or Sugar Beets into Sugar. There are multiple ways of extracting Molasses from Sugar Cane or Sugar Beets. Age of Plant and the amount of sugar also play a vital role in deciding the quality of Molasses. Molasses are widely used in Brown Sugar. Sugarcane Molasses are one of the most important components of sweetening and flavoring foods all around the world.

Molasses are also widely known as Black Treacle and also have a stronger flavor than other alternative syrups. Molasses contains 22% Water, 75% Carbohydrates, minute percentages of Fat, and almost no Protein.

How Long Does Molasses Last?

Molasses last for up to 2 years. As Molasses fall under the category of sweeteners or flavoring agents, it is advised to keep Molasses in a cool and dry place. As soon as the bottle is opened, it is very important to keep it sealed tightly when it is not in use.

Molasses can be stored in a refrigerator to retain the quality for a longer period of time but since Molasses are very viscous at room temperature, storing them in refrigerators increases the viscosity many folds.

To reduce the thickness of Cold Molasses, keeping it in a warm place or maybe heating the bottle or jar in a pot of warm water could prove to be really helpful. The longevity of molasses may vary from one producer to another. The higher amount of sugar in the molasses, the longer it lasts.

Generally, Molasses stays safe to use and consume for a few months past the date mentioned on the label of the bottle. In case, if there is no date mentioned on the label of the bottle, it is safe to assume that the molasses will easily last for a duration of 2 years.

Light Molasses have a higher percentage of sugar content and are the sweetest. On the other hand, Dark Molasses have a slightly lower sugar content than light molasses and less sweet whereas Blackstrap Molasses is quite thick and very low on sugar content.

Why Do Molasses Last That Long?

Molasses last that long to maintain the quality or flavor of the food. Molasses are widely used in different parts of the world as a sweetener, hence it is very important to preserve the quality of molasses for a longer period of time. Molasses are also a good source of Magnesium and Potassium and are also used widely in baking, producing animal food, and also in the production of beer and rum, so it is necessary for molasses to last long.

Not only molasses can also be used for hair conditioning as it prevents color change of hair. Molasses are also a major component of many energy bars and help in providing instant energy. It is advised to consume molasses during periods as Molasses also contain iron and can help in preventing iron deficiency that causes menstrual cramps during one’s period. Molasses being rich in Calcium and Iron help in easing swollen joints.

Molasses help in giving baked beans a thick texture, sweetening up Barbeque Sauces, and also helps in making cookies brown, soft, and easy to chew. The flavor of Molasses degrades as time passes by, hence it is advised to start consuming them as soon as the bottle is opened. Unopened bottles last for 2 years while opened bottles are best for use from 6 months to up to 1 year.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that Molasses is one of the widely used food additives. Its usage varies from one food item to another. It is high in sugar content as it is produced by boiling beet or cane syrup. Not only Molasses is also used in body care products due to its rich mineral content. Molasses are best for use for up to 2 years and should be stored in a cool and dry place for retaining their qualities.

References

1. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf304416d
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212267212012014