Black Treacle

[FoodMan]

Recently our local Mega Mart (aka Kroger) started a section which I refer to as "The Jamie Oliver Section" due to the fact that it contains English staples that were not found there a few months ago. I used to go there looking for "Golden Syrup", Custard, Digestive biscuits and other stuff I've seen or read about with Jamie Oliver, and find nothing but maple syrup and nilla wafers!! So I'm assuming several others must've asked about these items and Kroger started stocking them in limited quantities in this one section in the Ethnic foods aisle. Now I can find all this stuff and some others that I've never heard before.

One such items is the "Black Treacle" made by the same company that makes "Golden Syrup". Of course I was intrigued and almost bought it, however I thought it might be prudent to post a question or two about it first. What is it used for? Any recipes? Can I use it like molasses or cain syrup is used?

Your insight and help is appreciated.

FM

[Really Nice!]

Black treacle is British molasses. Use it as you would for scones, beer, toffee, dark breads...

[g.johnson]

It's been a while, but my impression is that black treacle is rather thicker and darker than molasses.

[Jaymes]

Why don't you just buy a jar, take it home, open it up, stick a spoon in it and sample???

That way, you could make a direct comparison to what we in the States call molasses. If it is darker and thicker, maybe it's similar to black strap.

I've used black treacle in several recipes, but not lately, so can't make any direct observations...

But I can't see what difficulties would be presented by just buying a jar to sample. There might well be some recipes on the jar that you could try. And if not, well.... as our friends in NYC might say, "couldn't hoit."

[g.johnson]

My mother always made parkin, a thick oatmeal cake sweetened with treacle, on Guy Fawkes night. We'd eat it while setting off fireworks and burning the pope in effigy.

[kitwilliams]

mmmmmm. steamed treacle pudding. with custard.

[nyfirepatrolchef]

Why don't you just buy a jar, take it home, open it up, stick a spoon in it and sample???

That way, you could make a direct comparison to what we in the States call molasses.  If it is darker and thicker, maybe it's similar to black strap.

I've used black treacle in several recipes, but not lately, so can't make any direct observations...

But I can't see what difficulties would be presented by just buying a jar to sample.  There might well be some recipes on the jar that you could try.  And if not, well....  as our friends in NYC might say, "couldn't hoit."

yeah but some people *like* things what hoits

[jackal10]

pop!

Abra asked the question in his blog...

[Abra]

Uh, make that HER blog! I have molasses and black treacle, and tomorrow I'll open them both, take a picture, and we can settle this one.

[jackal10]

Mea Culpae, Mea maxima Culpae....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treacle_mining

[curlywurlyfi]

mmmmmm.  steamed treacle pudding.  with custard.

actually, despite the name, this is made with golden syrup. As is treacle tart. Why is that? But treacle scones + treacle toffee are made with actual treacle.

[Adam Balic]

mmmmmm.  steamed treacle pudding.  with custard.

actually, despite the name, this is made with golden syrup. As is treacle tart. Why is that? But treacle scones + treacle toffee are made with actual treacle.

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Golden Syrup is light treacle. It was developed in the late 19th century. Technically Treacle, Black Treacle, Molasses, Golden Syrup and Blackstrap are all treacles.

[foodie52]

We used to be given treacle tart in boarding school. It's was very inexpensive to make and very VERY sweet! I used to buy tins of black treacle and smear it on toast with butter. I believe I knew someone who also used it in fruitcakes?

[Abra]

I've got the answer! Look here.

[CarolineLD]

mmmmmm.  steamed treacle pudding.  with custard.

actually, despite the name, this is made with golden syrup. As is treacle tart.

←

As I found out the hard way... As a child, the first thing I made unsupervised was a treacle tart. No golden syrup in mum's cupboard, so I substituted black treacle. Well, the pastry was nice...