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[<eureka AT hctc.net>]

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