Fain's Sorghum Molasses

 What is molasses? ...And how is it different from syrup?

The term molasses (as applied to processed cane juice) is a misnomer, since molasses is a by-product of sugar manufacturing. However, when most people think of the molasses produced in the deep South it is that produced by slow simmering the juices of cane or sorghum. Simmered and skimmed up to a point, it's syrup. Molasses is this same syrup further cooked down to a thick consistency, giving a rich robust flavor and color. Most sorghum crops produced in the US are grain sorghums. There are varieties that are known for the quality of juice in the stalks. Such a variety is shown in the picture to the right. This particular crop is destined for a cane mill where the stalks will be crushed thus allowing the sugar rich juices to flow into waiting buckets and then transferred to cooking pans.

In the old South the typical cooking pan was about three feet wide and up to twelve feet long. It was made of metal and had a series of baffles so that in the transit from one end to the other, the raw juice would graduate  from one compartment to the next in its gradual transformation to the finished product. Workers would use paddles to move the juice along from one section to the next. "Skimming" was also part of the operation (see left picture).

This long pan was typically mounted on a rock base with a fire underneath. Wood was thrown in from holes on the side, and a chimney on one end kept air flowing across the fire. Long ago this entire process was a community event and it normally was the job of two of the 10-12 year old boys to keep the fire "stoked". It was quite an honor to be given this job.

The event of making syrup and molasses would typically see the ladies of the community as skimmers while their men brought the cane in from the fields and ran it throught the rollers of the cane mill. However, only the "syrup master" could pronounce the end compartment ready to be "poured up" into metal gallon cans. It was his practiced eye and keen sense of taste that told him when it was time.


Free shipping (priority mail only) on every 2nd & 3rd quart jar.
Shipping is a flat $9.30 whether shipping 1, 2, or 3 jars.

$8.95ea, Sorghum flavor syrup, 1 quart
(PRIORITY MAIL shipping only) 
 

$15.90 (2 X $7.95ea), Sorghum flavor syrup, 2 quarts
(PRIORITY MAIL shipping only... 2nd jar ships free.) 

 
$23.85 (3 X $7.95ea), Sorghum flavor syrup, 3 quarts
(PRIORITY MAIL shipping only... 2nd & 3rd jars ship free.)

 
We ship to Hawaii, Alaska, & APO addresses.

Want a different shipping address when ordering? On the "Review your Payment" page, your billing address will also be designated as the shipping address. Directly under it is a "change" link that provides for a different shipping address.

Ingredients: Large quart jar contains both cane and sorghum molasses (often called Sorghum Syrup since it is syrup further cooked).

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Fain's Sorghum Molasses , 12 oz size ... one of your choices when you custom assemble a gift pack.
  • slow simmered
  • open pan cooked
  • all natural
  • no additives