Sulfured molasses is made from young green and is treated with ,which acts as a preservative, during the sugar extraction process.Unsulfured molasses is made from mature sugar cane and does not requiretreatment with sulfur during the extraction process. There are threegrades of molasses, Mild or first molasses, Dark or second molasses, and Black strap. These grades may be sulfured or sulfured.

To make molasses, which is pure sugar ,the sugar cane plant is harvested and stripped of its leaves. Its juiceis extracted from the canes, usually by crushing or mashing. The juiceis boiled to concentrate which promotes the crystallization of the . The results of this first boiling and removal of sugar crystal is first molasses, which has the highest sugar content because comparatively little sugar has been extracted from the juice. Second molasses is created from a second boiling and sugar extraction, and has a slight bitter tinge to its taste.

The third boiling of the sugar syrup gives black strap molasses.The majority of sucrose from the original juice has been crystallizedbut black strap molasses is still mostly sugar by calories; however, unlike refined sugars, it contains significant amounts of and . Black strap molasses is a source of , , and . One tablespoon provides up to 20 percent of the daily value of each of those nutrients. Black strap is often sold as a health supplement, as well as being used in the manufacture of feed, and for other industrial uses.