Sorghum Syrup WITHOUT A Press Or Juicer

*WARNING* DO NOT FEED RAW SORGHUM LEAVES OR ANY PART OF THE SORGHUM GREENS TO PETS OR LIVESTOCK without researching first. Raw sorghum greens contain toxic levels of cyanide and should be properly handled/prepared prior to feeding to animals. For your syrup, use fully mature stalks as they contain lower levels of cyanide. Once cooked the cyanide is removed therefore it is safe to consume the syrup. Never use stems/canes that are less than 24" in height for your syrup as the concentration of cyanide is too high.
Sorghum is an awesome 2-in-1 plant! In this video, we will show you how to harvest sorghum and an easy method for processing the cane to make sorghum syrup and or molasses without having to use an expensive press or juicer. This isn't the purest method but for those that don't want to spend a few thousand on a press or don't have the room to put it, or for those that are just doing it as a novelty treat once a year or as a hobby homesteader, then this method is perfect.
So what exactly IS sorghum? Sorghum is a flowering plant in the grass family. The grain (or seed) head can be used for food and the stalks for syrup and or molasses.
Sorghum syrup is a natural sweetener made by processing the juice that is extracted from the sorghum plant. It tends to have a thinner consistency and a slightly more sour taste than does molasses. Sorghum contains vitamins and minerals and is a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, thiamin and
omega 6 fatty acids.
Sorghum molasses is where The juice is boiled down further to a concentrate which then produces crystallization of the sugar. The result of the first boiling and removal of
the sugar crystals is called molasses.
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With lots of love
Bren
~Kindred Acres
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[@natureboy6410]

Cut the sections in half length wise. Freeze them all for 2 to 3 days. Then process as normal. Freezing breaks down the cell walls, helping to leech out the sugars much faster.

[@brendalynblanco]

Good to know! We have a bunch growing this year so I'll try that this time around. Thanks for the tip!

[@tonilyons858]

Exactly what i was thonking- cut the in halves. Thanks for leaving those tips!

[@brendalynblanco]

@@mikee5208 We didn't grow any this year so I'll have to try it next year.

[@brendalynblanco]

@@mikee5208 ​ Hey what's that saying?? "If the chickens ate, there ain't no waste". ;)

[@commonconservative7551]

works good for greens too so i dont have to chop them with a knife , just smash the frozen bag

[@pavankumarreddy7273]

We call it Jowhar. We make rotis (tortillas) with jowhar flour and porridge(sankati) and soup( ambali) with it. In northern region of Karnataka, Telangana and Ryalasema- India. its staple amongst farmer communities but in recent times its seen as a alternate to rice meal because it has lower sugar levels and helps in avoiding diabetics.

[@brendalynblanco]

That’s great info!! Thank you for sharing!

[@hlegler]

Thanks for such a brilliantly presented video! I want to grow sorghum for grain and I had no idea that it could be used for syrup, too. I'm excited to add one more level of self sufficiency to our little homestead! Thanks for posting!!

[@brendalynblanco]

Thank you Heather for commenting! I'm glad you found this video helpful! :)

[@benbrown8258]

I am really glad to see someone else also use the home boiling method. It's more affordable for my small amount of sorghum and buying a supper hundred-dollar press period also there's a difference between sorghum syrup and sugar cane molasses. I started harvesting my sorghum grain today I look forward to getting the juice boiling sometime this week. I think I will try this suggestion of freezing the Sorghum before trying to get the juice out

[@zazugee]

freezing destroys the cell's walls and should make it easier for sugar to seep into water but same when boiling under pressure (critical phase)

[@cafemolido5459]

Like very much the light smoky flavor of sorghum syrup

[@Maryplanting9880]

You inspired me to plant my sorghum this summer and now I am ready to harvest it. Thank you so much!!

[@brendalynblanco]

Awesome!! I'm happy to hear that!! Thanks for checking it out!!

[@Judithakins]

Thanks for this video, definitely going to come in handy after our harvest of the heads. Hope to get a cauldron so we can recycle our wood also.

[@cindiwatson5415]

Thank you for this step by step.

[@mrcharrington1]

Great information. Thanks so much.

[@user-eh1tz4ue7x]

So I'm growing sorgum up in Wisconsin as an experiment. Thanks so much for your video

[@calebproductions5970]

Great vid. You can also substitute this with sugar and a lot of recipes

[@99thmonkeyresonance66]

This was definitely, THE most "knowledge packed" video of the harvesting/processing of the canes- for syrup! (At least, that I have been able to find- even with "using SEO", in my favor) Thanks for sharing your knowledge, planting, sharing with the Earth, animals & insects, for involving your little into the process, TOO!🤝🤜🤛 [I "see" you, fellow intuitive! Keep shining, Dear Soul!] In love, light & gratitude, For all you have done, for all you have grown through, for all you will do & for all you continue to do, S.G.A.⭐🤍💛💜 [5:55pm]

[@brendalynblanco]

Awesome! Thank you for that! I'm glad we were able to help / inspire!! :)

[@armyrabb1]

If you think about it, sorghum can be a quad use:1-humans eat the grain, 2-humans eat the syrup, 3-chickens eat the grain, 4-pigs eat the processed stalks.

[@cathybrown3545]

A machete works great on the stalks. Also works to easily strip leaves on the still standing stalks.

[@brendalynblanco]

Thanks for that tip! :)

[@abcxyz9643]

Glad I watched this video and read your warning. I am growing some for the first time this year and i was just thinking "I wonder how it tastes to just chew on the stalk" LOL. Yikes.

[@brendalynblanco]

Yikes! That certainly wouldn't be good. I too am glad you found this.

[@puggedpoetry129]

i was thinking the exact same thing. Glad I found this too

[@abcxyz9643]

I am going to try to make some broom sticks with ours as well. No clue if that will work out haha.

[@shachora5900]

great video thank you

[@BruceJennersUterus]

Thanks for the video. How long does it take for it to turn from liquid to syrup consistency?

[@sayedmohamed2430]

Thank you for this nice video.. Please can you get the corn that is ripe and also the corn molasses? What if I used a large juicer to extract molasses by boiling and steaming? Can animals eat corn sticks leftovers?

[@christineroisum2857]

SO COOL! How long does it keep?

[@medicinemom3620]

Could you slice them longways before boiling for an hour? Do you do that for any other reason than it's easier to cut?

[@heydeej2]

Can you split the stocks before you get them? Or are they too hard at that time?

[@off-gridhillbillystyle3735]

Thanks for showing me this. I subscribed for you. We've been off grid for a few years and always looking for different plants to grow with multiple purposes.✌️

[@mrcharrington1]

Yes, sorghum and amaranth are great prepper plants.

[@brendalynblanco]

Thanks for subscribing!! I love multiple purpose plants. You've just inspired me to make another video on different kinds. That might be our next one. Thanks again! :)

[@brandonmonroe7050]

Nice yield. I read through all the comments trying to find the answer. I saw these are baker creek seeds but which variety Mennonite or Honey Drip?

[@abeforee4780]

Would using a crockpot work for any part or all of this process?

[@Chakawm]

Very helpful video. Where can you find the white African sorghum? Trying to find the sorghum varieties with highest grain yield, especially heirloom open pollinated

[@brendalynblanco]

A lot of the seed companies I know of are out of stock at this point. Keep a watch on Baker Creek Seed companies page....that is where we got our original seed.

[@mikefrench3800]

Cool

[@crochetgottaloveit]

Would this cooking method also work for sugar cane? I just aquired some sugar cane stalks for planting and I ordered two varieties of sorghum seed yesterday; I'm totally new at this. I don't have a press so I'm interested in this method. Thanks for making this video and I just subbed to your channel. ☺

[@brendalynblanco]

Yes we have doen it with sugar can in the past and we are growing some here now too so will use this again. If it does well here I'll eventally invest in a press but for those just trying it out or hobby gardening, this method is perfect.

[@crochetgottaloveit]

@@brendalynblanco Many thanks. I can't wait too get my sorghum seeds and plant them and I can't wait to try this boiling method to extract the sugars. ☺☺

[@genxrants]

I saw your warning in the description but you mentioned your chickens pulling them up. Apparently, it doesn't affect chickens?

[@floridacoder]

Why did you take the knuckles out? Just curious.

[@edtan9761]

Hi, great video! isn't the rest frequently sold as animal feed?

[@brendalynblanco]

Great question! Yes, it is, with a risk. Farmers have to be mindful to use older leaves. The grain does not have a concern but the leaves do. Also, they provide salt licks to help. Take a look at this article. agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/beef/feeding-and-nutrition/sorghum

[@edtan9761]

@@brendalynblanco thank you for your reply, we are just getting into sorghum in Indonesia and these resources are of great help!

[@debrarivera2055]

Sorry I didn't get it, but how much longer do you boil the stalks after you peel them?

[@brendalynblanco]

It depends on if you are trying to make syrup or molasses. Just continue to boil until desired consistency/flavor.

[@crochetgottaloveit]

I have another question: When I boil my stalks, should I cover the pot to decrease evaporation, while the stalks are boiling while softening the stalk skin? Or, do you add more water if needed, if the level gets too low?

[@brendalynblanco]

Lee Ann CrochetGottaLoveIt You want the water to evaporate so you are left with the sugars so no, you don’t want to put a lid on.

[@crochetgottaloveit]

@@brendalynblanco Many thanks for the info. ☺☺

[@brendalynblanco]

@@crochetgottaloveit You're most welcome. :)

[@MrArthoz]

I have several questions... 1 - can I just chew the stalk like how people do with slices of sugar cane stalk? Is it delicious to do so? 2 - can I just boil to stalk (whole or sliced) with my cooking or tea to make it sweet? 3 - are the stalks edible and can be cooked like a vegetable? 4 - can we cook the seeds as food? If yes, how? Just as feedback, in my hometown we had a traditional method of pressing sugarcane using a simple leverage tool where the cane is pressed between two 2x4 sticks. One short as the base, the other long for the added leverage and ease to press it quickly. You can't find this method anywhere online because nobody does it anymore. We did it because it's sort of an inherited tool and last we did it was about 20 years ago...now everything is done by machine.

[@brendalynblanco]

Hi MrArthoz. Thanks for your questions. From my knowledge the stalks are not edible raw as they contain a fair amount of cyanide and could make you sick. You do need to process them to evaporate the organic cyanide. The seeds of sorghum do not contain cyanide, just the leaves and stalks. The seeds can be cooked just like quinoa or popped like popping corn (our favorite way to eat them). I hope this helps!! :) Very interesting to hear about how you press sugar cane in your hometown. Thank you for sharing! Where is your hometown, if you don't mind me asking?

[@MrArthoz]

@@brendalynblanco Thanks for the info, will look up on quinoa. I usually cook popcorn in my frying wok/frying pan...a method I learned from a Pakistani friend. If you'd like to know my hometown is Temerloh, in the Kingdom of Pahang...a state in the Federation of Malaysia....or I could just say simply it's somewhere north of Singapore >_

[@FreeAmerican]

@MrArthoz have you put any videos of your press on YT? I would love to see it.

[@mrwbrown5312]

Any idea how many canes you used to get the 2-3 cups of syrup? (I planted 50 canes and wonder how much syrup I'll get)

[@bobbun9630]

I assume by now you've processed it and you know exactly how much you got. In my limited experience (I have done it once), you should have been able to get that much syrup from fifty canes. The best time to harvest for syrup production is (based on my reading) during flowering, as the plant has stored up sugar for grain production at that point but hasn't used it producing grain. I used a food processor to grind the stalks. That may have improved my yield. I'm also considering a few additional processes this year to see if they help with yield or improve the product: 1) blanching the canes then putting them through a couple of freeze/thaw cycles, 2) using homebrew enzymes (amylase, glucoamylase) to break starches down into sugars, 3) clarification with bentonite (another homebrew product) before boiling down the juice.

[@nisigate]

This is eaten a lot in my mom’s country Ghana Usually grown in the north people from that part of the country are said to be taller and healthier because of this plant barley and other superfoods 😅not sure if this is true but they sure look different

[@normazarpak6774]

Could you dry the leaves and use them for weaving like with corn husks?

[@brendalynblanco]

You sure can! :)

[@apanknin]

So if you don't want to peel the stems can you just put theme in the juicer and boil the down to a syrup?

[@brendalynblanco]

You would need to get the special juicer. The stalks are very fibrous and tough so you can't do it with a typical juicer. The cane juicer is pretty pricey and bulky so this is the best alternative method we have found without needing expensive or bulky equipment. :)

[@robinlillian9471]

An Omega 700 or 800 horizontal juicer will do it. It's meant for leafy greens & celery. It also makes coconut butter, etc. The Discount Juicers channel does demonstrations of how it works.

[@willbass2869]

The warning in description is kinda incorrect. Sorghum grown with adequate water and harvested before a frost poses neither danger from either nitrate poisoning (drought stricken plants) or cyanide poisoning (after plants are hit by strong frost)

[@romelmadray6706]

What was the final level of consistency that you obtained?and do you have any pictures of it

[@brendalynblanco]

I got it to a little thinner than maple syrup but you could continue to boil it down to make it as thick as you would like. The longer you boil the thicker it gets but you'll end up with a sweeter, more condensed final product and a little less of it. The consistency of maple syrup was enough for me because it was just the right amount of sweetness so just taste it as you go along. I do not have any pictures. Sorry.

[@sunrisefarmer2340]

@@brendalynblanco please is it possible to boil it down to the taste of blackstrap molasses ?

[@brendalynblanco]

@@sunrisefarmer2340 You can certainly boil it down to molasses....I can't say for sure it will taste just like blackstrap but certainly molasses.

[@jeffmedina43]

Sorghum flour makes some real tasty pancakes

[@ZE308AC]

Ever try to grow sorghum Sudan?

[@allancarasco766]

❤

[@larrykempton9660]

do upu know what s cotn knife is

[@kariannaperry1402]

Do you sell the sorghum ? What kind did you grow?

[@timmmmmmmmmmy1]

Rox orange sugar sorghum. From beyond Organic seeds just recieved 1 lb.

[@newenglandyankeeliving5052]

Can you do this same process with corn stalks ?

[@brendalynblanco]

I’ve never tried it.

[@mach2262]

🤩🥰🙏

[@kennadeelott1292]

Can you just cut the canes into 1 inch pieces to begin with and skip the peeling process?

[@brendalynblanco]

You could but then simmer them longer to be sure you extract all the sugars from inside

[@dwaynelowery5808]

What ag zone r u n?

[@brendalynblanco]

7b/8a just SE of Raleigh NC in a town called Clayton.

[@allaws4062]

How do I find Red Sorghum in the US?

[@brendalynblanco]

I got the seeds long ago and don't remember from where. I'll see if I have any extra and get back to you. :)

[@allaws4062]

Thanks

[@lifemotivationcoach]

Ebay, just ordered some seeds today.

[@brendalynblanco]

I checked and we don't have enough to share this year. We have just enough to do a planting so I'll try to get them planted out this year and save for seed.....assuming I have room. I have a lot already planned. lol.

[@allaws4062]

@@brendalynblanco good luck, Thanks again

[@stevelangston2359]

Don’t use tap water! Ruined my batch

[@brendalynblanco]

Thanks for that tid bit! Thankfully we are on a well. But others could benefit from this bit of advice. :)