A crop this size will yield approximately 40 to 50 gallons of juice, which will cook down to about 4 to 5 gallons of finished
sorghum molasses. Comparatively, a smaller, 100-square-foot crop (two 50-foot rows) would produce about 6 gallons of juice and two-thirds gallon of syrup.
Millard quit making
sorghum molasses in 1939 when he lost his equipment to a flood after the season had ended.
"The mule can't walk fast enough to make all the
sorghum molasses people want to buy," said Williford.
In the Sweet
Sorghum Molasses class, for example, people from ages 10 to 70 spend the day cutting and preparing sorghum cane, pressing it with animal power, and evaporating the juice to molasses.
The story on making
sorghum molasses in the October 2001 issue was a hit with me.
1/4 cup oil (I prefer canola.) 1/2 cup sorghum molasses 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon allspice 1/8 teaspoon cardamom (optional) 2 cups sifted whole-wheat pastry flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 cup boiling water 1 level cup frozen blueberries (They must be frozen solid.) confectioners sugar for decorating
Even though blackstrap molasses contains more nutrients, I prefer a milder-tasting molasses for baking, such as sorghum molasses.
You had to rely on honey, maple sugar or
sorghum molasses, Honeybees and bee trees were only for the dedicated few willing to mess with the sharp-tailed little critters.
Individuals and clubs set up rent-free booths during this busy weekend, selling everything from local arts and crafts to
sorghum molasses.