whats the real deal with molasses( will any organic sugar/carb work

[al-k-mist]

High everyone
another of my questions.
i did use the forum search function, and didnt find exactly what i was looking for

ive read something, people saying molases aint necessary.
I understand a bit about chem/biology, and zymurgy/fermentation. i understand that the sugars/molasses feed bacteria(in wine brewing, in the joint, the sugars feed the yeasts)...she uses sugar in her kombucha (and the starter of which is called a SCOBY, for symbiotic culture of yeast and bacteria

that being said, can i just use organic demerara sugar (turbinado). or even fruit juices(from the fruit, not the can)
I still have not used an FPE, what a dumbass. lot to do.

ANyways, in teas where molasses is used, that stuff is kept in the fridge, much more bullshit to measure, carry next door, etc. a few pre-weighed baggies of sugars would bee much simpler, or theowing a chunk of kiwi in the tea for fructose

sorry for my often stupid questions, just trying to simplify an already super simple process
thanks

 

[Seandawg]

Yes you could do that. Although if using the kiwi or high sugar content fruits you'd want to purée it first to get more surface area to get bacteria feeding/multiplying and get the process kick started.

 

[Microbeman]

Sure, you can use potato water, rice water, apple juice, wheat bran, grape juice, starch, yeast, however do you think black strap molasses is recommended by the researchers in areas of microbial multiplication for a reason?

It is lilely a search using a scientific search engine might produce more realistic information.

 

[al-k-mist]

thanks guys
MM can you recomend a search engine to be used for questions related to science?
thanks

 

[Granger2]

Any sugar source will feed the herd. But is it better to eat white bread or organic whole wheat? Whatever you use, the more unrefined the better. And yes, puree the fruits. Good luck. -granger

 

[Microbeman]

scirus google scholar biology journals - seek and you will find

 

[BugJar]

buy dry molasses. it should be at any good feed store. it isn't as good but it will work

several years ago someone told me the reason... I don't remember but hey I remembered the important part use molasses.

 

[OKD]

"ANyways, in teas where molasses is used, that stuff is kept in the fridge, much more bullshit to measure, carry next door, etc""

I keep 12oz jar on the kitchen shelf. Grandma's from Walmart like $3. It's the basis for my veg and flower teas, 1 tblspoon/ gal for veg and 1/2 that for flower. I mix it in 1-2 cups boiling water before I throw it in compost bucket.
As a home brewer, molasses is the intuitive best thing. I would try agave or aloe Vera, but I bet molasses foams the best..

 

[BugJar]

"ANyways, in teas where molasses is used, that stuff is kept in the fridge, much more bullshit to measure, carry next door, etc""

I keep 12oz jar on the kitchen shelf. Grandma's from Walmart like $3. It's the basis for my veg and flower teas, 1 tblspoon/ gal for veg and 1/2 that for flower. I mix it in 1-2 cups boiling water before I throw it in compost bucket.
As a home brewer, molasses is the intuitive best thing. I would try agave or aloe Vera, but I bet molasses foams the best..

Homebrewers for life!

 

[vonforne]

Black Strap Molasses works the best but I have used Agave from the health food store with success. I prefer BSM. Raw fruits work better in a Bio activator set up than a normal compost brewing system.

As Uncle M said just hit up Google Scholar or Sirus and you will find tons of peer reviewed research papers on this subject.

 

[They]

How about raw honey?

 

[SilverSurfer_OG]

My jar of certified organic molasses (yum) says "Black strap molasses is made from sugar cane. The roots of the sugar cane root are deep and therefore able to receive a broad spectrum of minerals and trace elements"

So i guess thats why its the best.

Dry molasses would contain no sulphur i guess thats whats good about it. Besides being dirt cheap!

 

[Gascanastan]

Molasess is used for it's high mineral and nutrient content. This is why feed stores stock it and sell 'cob' (corn,oats,and barely) with molasses,dry molasses,etc. Molasses can turn a sick animal around fast. Multiplying bacterial cells need proper nutrients to divide and reproduce healthy functioning cells. Molasses has the highest nutrient value along with those carbs.

 

[OrganicOzarks]

Sucanat for the win.

 

[RanchoDeluxe]

Try typing 'extension' after whatever it you are trying to search. Alot of .edu's will pop up.

 

[al-k-mist]

I was under the impression it is to remain refrigerated. can i keep a jar in the growroom?
But enough said, and thanks to everybody for the thorough answers.
I want to try to put it in the dehydrator, on a plate, or parchment paper, to see if i can dehydrate it. easier to work with
the growroom is a seperate building than the house, and the stuff is in the fridge, in the house. CAN it be left in the growroom? thanks

 

[SilverSurfer_OG]

Yeah mate the high sugar content acts as a preservative. I have kept my 20 litre bucket of feed store molasses in my garden shed for about 3 years now. Still got 1/4 left or so and it hasnt changed in smell or anything...

 

[vonforne]

How about raw honey?

Raw honey will have anti-bacterial properties so NO. I don´t think it would be good for the bacteria you are trying to culture.

 

[dr.penthotal]

Raw honey will have anti-bacterial properties so NO. I don´t think it would be good for the bacteria you are trying to culture.

good point.
I'm a beekepeer, I have experimented honey as a sobstitute of molaases with marvellous results.
let me explain.
raw honey has indeed antimicronbial and antifungine properies.
it's all sugar, it's incredible it does'nt mold and ferment at all
first defense is given by his structure. it's made of 85-90% of simple sugars, very dense and with a osmotic power well built, and it's made of restant water 10% or so and salts.
this low level of water keep the osmotic pressure at most and the overall acidity of the solution is quite low, preserving th beginning of any life.
so honey jars can be opend snd close as many times you want, and it doesn't mold and doesn't need to be kept in fridge....
these antimicrobial properties are lost when diliuted in water and all the osmotic forces are weakened and ph arise...
try and see how fast a glass of water with a spoon of honey molds...
there is some propolis in very small amounts in honey, this may slower down the fermentation as well, but never seen any problems in my acts...
and it surely will pump up SAR response.
I'm dealing with organic pure raw honey I make myself from pure plants flower and insects.
the animal honey, called honeydew is a dark one, made up of the plant's saps sucked by mealy bugs. those sugars collected and digested by the bees have a double passage through 2 insects and are directly sap of the plant.
this honeydew is rich in salts and in K. plants and act love it.
true unadulterated organic honey is rich in substances derived directly from flowers, they surely have an effect or different effect based on different flowers on plants.
It's a world to be discovered...

stay away please from the supermarket honey, already cooked and boiled and usaully a mix of chinese/east europe/south america blends...(in my area...)
in those mixing and transports all the life is lost in honey...
try to find one from a good organic beekeper who knows what to do and you'll see great results...
my 2 cents
dr.p

 

[BugJar]

honey does have anti-microbial properties but when diluted any number of microbes make very short work of it's simple sugars.