finally, a Healthy Sweetener - Blackstrap Mollases

Here is something both healthy and sweet, I found recently and thought I will add it to my kitchen cupboard :-)

Its a sweetener called "Blackstrap Molasses" which "is made from the third boiling of the sugar syrup and is therefore the concentrated byproduct left over after the sugar's sucrose has been crystallized. "

But unlike sugar or honey this has a cool nutritional profile which almost seems like it can replace a part of my daily multivitamin pill! and it also seems to be a key ingredient in some beans recipes and gingerbread... hmmm....reminds me of some good gingerbread I ate in Grasmere, in Lake District in UK...

here is its summary of nutritional profile from whfoods.org:

Blackstrap molasses
2.00 tsp (13.67 grams) ==> 32.12 calories

Manganese ==> 18%
Copper ==> 14%
Iron ==> 13.3%
Calcium ==> 11.8%
Potassium ==> 9.7%
Magnesium ==> 7.3%
Vitamin B6 ==> 5%
Selenium ==> 3.5%

And what's the catch to get all these nutrients ? When I tried adding it to my (oatmeal + soy milk) breakfast, the only odd thing I found was its peculiar smell - but it is by no means repulsive or anything!

here is another discusion thread where people discuss their experiences with Blackstrap Molasses. Enjoy!!