[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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