So I've read about how good blackstrap molasses is supposed to be for iron and calcium, but my parents insist that fancy molasses is the same thing. It's more heavily refined, though, and there's no nutritional info on any molasses cartons I can find... so I'm not sure. Does anybody know what the difference is? :D Thanks, and I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question.

Hi Kate and welcome!!

I have no idea about the molasses thing... and don't apologise - there's rarely ever a genuinely "stupid" question....

I mainly wanted to say I LOVE your siggy quote!! I use that quote on another (non-veggie) board I frequent - no one ever "gets" it....

As far as I know, it has to be blackstrap molasses. Mine has 20% of the RDA for iron, whereas the lighter type usually has around 5%. I suppose it's possible for other types to be fortified, but I honestly don't think that happens.

fancy molasses is definitely different and not very good for iron or calcium.

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Q-A/Molassas.htm

Thanks everyone. :) I'll be getting some blackstrap next time I go shopping.

Hello! New veggie here. I was wondering what do you all do with the blackstrap? I got some and I've been experimenting, because I am iron deficient and I'm trying to avoid having to take prescription iron pills again (and this is definitely NOT related to not eating meat, since I have just stopped that and even when I was a full-on meat eater, I still had the deficiency). It's so strong, I am having trouble using it as I would normally use a sweetener, but if I just use a drop, then I'm not getting any of the nutritional value.

What is a normal serving size, 1 Tb? I want to start taking it daily, but I can't see just swallowing a serving of it plain. Actually, maybe I will, since I can't seem to enjoy the taste when I try to mix it into something, as it is so overpowering

bearsy - I don't know much about blackstrap, but there is another thread on this, just try searching blackstrap and you should find it.

I haven't done this in a while, but I used to have blackstrap molasses on toast as a pre-workout snack. These days marmite on toast with tea as a pre-study snack is more common.

Bearsy: try it in some bran muffins. You're not getting quite as much per muffin, but they taste good and depending on how much you add you can get a fair bit of iron, since a serving is only a tablespoon.

I haven't done this in a while, but I used to have blackstrap molasses on toast as a pre-workout snack. These days marmite on toast with tea as a pre-study snack is more common.

A tip for those unfamiliar with marmite: spread it on your toast really really really thick. ;)

here's a turkish tip...

mix half tahini and half blackstrap... makes a nice nutella-like spread,and more iron and calcium than you can shake a stick at... good for breaky on toast with some flaxseed (ground) and jam

I usually mix a tablespoon in with oatmeal or some other cereal.If you have vanilla soymilk with it it's not as overpowering of a taste.

Blackstrap molasses is something of an acquired taste, IMO. I use it pretty much wherever a recipe calls for molasses. You can use it when baking muffins, preparing baked beans and in hot cereal (I cut the bitterness in cereal with vanilla soy or rice milk too). I started out using fairly small amounts, and I really like it now.

I'm going to have to try that tahini/molasses idea. Sounds pretty yummy.

here's a turkish tip...

mix half tahini and half blackstrap... makes a nice nutella-like spread,and more iron and calcium than you can shake a stick at... good for breaky on toast with some flaxseed (ground) and jam

Sounds good. I love both tahini and molasses, but never thought of mixing them together.

What I do like to do is to pour some blackstrap molasses on peanut butter toast (using all natural pb and whole wheat bread).