[Homestead] sorghum

eureka at hctc.net eureka at hctc.net
Sat Nov 1 11:20:41 EDT 2008


Wow, what great memories of molasses making you and Don 
both have from growing up. Guess I always thought the 
seeds were used not the plant stalk, but it does make 
sense that's where the sugars would be stored. Sounds like 
I would not have a way to make the molasses if I grew 
it...I don't have horses or a press of any sort...

--Sage



On Sat, 01 Nov 2008 01:35:19 -0400
  SJC <indexer at localnet.com> wrote:
> 
>>> We have a rogue sorghum plant that comes up in our 
>>>garden 
>>> every year. Has anyone ever grown it and made their own 
>>> molasses?
>>>
>>>     
> Where I grew up (west central IN) making molasses was a 
>community 
> activity like butchering or threshing or shelling 
>peas.....
> 
> Basically the process was to macerate the plants (mules 
>operated big 
> rollers), press the macerated plants (mules again, big 
>press), then boil 
> down the sap in large flat pans over wood fires (kids to 
>tend), very 
> carefully, until enough water is out of it that it won't 
>spoil.  I don't 
> know how they tested for that, but know that was the 
>critical part that 
> one old fellow in our neighborhood was in charge of. 
> Couldn't quit 
> until Elmer said it was done.
> 
> Then we filled all the crocks and jugs everybody had 
>brought, had a 
> giant feed, spent the rest of the day visiting.  Go home 
>to chore.  Bed 
> late.
> 
> SusanJane, in Maine


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