Molasses is a thick, dark and sweet liquid produced from boiling down sugar cane or beet juice, making it an all-natural sweetener perfect for baking, cooking or spreading on toast or crackers. But how should it be stored properly to maintain freshness and flavor? Should it be refrigerated or left at room temperature?
No refrigeration is required when it comes to molasses.
Refrigerating molasses can make it more difficult to use, as refrigeration changes its consistency and takes up space in your fridge. Therefore, the best place for molasses storage should be in your pantry: somewhere cool and dry that has no access to light or moisture sources.
According to Crosby Foods:
Molasses should be stored between 10degC to 21degC (50degF to 70degF). When kept within this range, its shelf life usually lasts 18 months with reasonable temperature and humidity conditions. Refrigeration or freezing may lead to crystallization of natural sugars which should be avoided for best results.
But there is more to storing molasses than simply finding the ideal place. You need to find the ideal container, method and timeframe to properly store your molasses so it lasts longer and tastes better – here are some guidelines on how you can do just that. Additionally, do molasses ever spoil?
Finding the Perfect Container for Molasses Storage
Your choice of container to store molasses can significantly impact its shelf life and quality, so select one which can prevent air, moisture, light from penetrating. Also essential are containers which protect against contamination, spoilage or leakage of the product – these include:
Glass Jars: When it comes to storing molasses, glass jars make an ideal container due to being airtight, transparent, and easy to clean. By keeping air, moisture, and light at bay and providing visibility of color and consistency of product inside, these eco-friendly reusing and reuse options can easily be sterilized via boiling or baking processes.
Plastic Containers: Plastic containers offer another cost-effective storage solution for molasses. While lightweight, durable, and affordable plastic containers may keep air and moisture away, their effectiveness in blocking light may vary between models. Plastic may stain easily if food grade or BPA-free plastic is used; additionally they may retain any flavors left from previous contents of jars that remain as residue in them.
Do not store molasses in metal containers as these can react with its acids and sugars, leading to corrosion, discoloration or metallic flavors in the molasses. They may also conduct heat, which could alter its temperature and viscosity. Metal containers also lack transparency making it hard for you to assess its condition at first glance.
Your molasses container requires a lid that can seal tightly and securely, to prevent air and moisture from entering it. Screw-on lids are an ideal choice as they create a tight fit to seal out air and moisture; their easy operation allows reuse or replacement as required; plus, these handy devices are available for both glass and plastic containers and may feature metal, plastic, or rubber materials for optimal results.