Definition
A thick, dark, viscous byproduct of sugar refining that remains after crystalline sugar has been extracted from sugar cane or sugar beets. Rich in minerals and with a distinctive sweet, slightly bitter flavor, molasses is commonly used in baking, cooking, and as a livestock feed supplement.
Example Usage
Grandma's gingerbread recipe called for a cup of molasses for depth and moisture.
Origin
From Portuguese 'melaço', derived from Latin 'mellaceum' (of honey), entering English in the 17th century during the sugar trade era.
Fun Fact
The Great Molasses Flood of 1919 in Boston released 2.3 million gallons of molasses from a ruptured tank, creating a 25-foot wave that devastated the neighborhood.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
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