Description of Challenge
Natural remedy and natural sweet flavouring.
Solution
The thick, sticky syrup from carobs and grapes. Molasses is a syrup that is made by boiling and thickening the grapes and similar fruits. The healthy components extracted from these fruits include disease-fighting antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Among several potential benefits, grape molasses may help restore iron in anaemic people; and a compound in carob molasses may benefit those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Grape molasses can be used to sweeten cookies, cakes and breads; it can be made into a refreshing drink; it can flavor puddings; it can be used in BBQ sauce and gravies; it can be made into a broth to cook beans or grains or in meat stews.
Grape molasses has been used in Lebanon (and adjoining countries), Greece (petimezi), France (raisiné), Italy, Turkey (pekmez), as well as in Asian countries.
Consuming grape or carob molasses may provide you with beneficial nutrients and natural chemicals to improve your health. For instance, the juicy part of the grape, used to make molasses, contains vitamins, including A, C and B6, along with minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium. Carob molasses contains vitamins and minerals including riboflavin, vitamin A, calcium, iron, phosphorus and potassium.
In addition, carobs are 80 percent protein, according to the Australian National University. Grape and carob molasses contain phytochemicals, or plant chemicals, that may act as antioxidants to destroy cell-damaging free radicals in the body.
