Ian Moore on sweeteners and particles
Would black treacle work as a sweetener for particles and soaking pellets? Or are there any other alternatives that you think will work better and will these work in the colder months? Wayne Johnson, via e-mail
Hi Wayne,
Black syrup or molasses is a thick liquid formed when sugar crystallises following its extraction from sugar cane or sugar beet during the production of sugar. The sugar cane or beet is harvested and pulped with the resulting juice boiled several times until the sugars crystallise. Following each boiling process the sugar is removed by centrifuge (spun out) to leave molasses, with the typical black product being removed at the third boiling stage.
When used as a bait additive, the main benefits of molasses are its natural sugars, deep liquorice taste and aroma and the trace elements and minerals it supplies. The natural sugars are of particular use when preparing particles as they not only work as a taste enhancer but also act as a catalyst for the fermentation process after the particles have been boiled. This makes the particles even more attractive as their natural sugars are released and start to caramelize into a sweet, soluble syrup releasing food signals into the water as they are introduced – even in very low temperatures.
Being black in colour, molasses is also great for darkening particles making them less likely to attract the unwanted attention of birds.
Pellets are another loose feed which can certainly benefit from the addition of Liquid Molasses and, due to its high dry matter content of around 70% (only 30% water), will soak into pellets without breaking them down. This actually tends to make the pellets breakdown slightly more slowly in water, releasing a constant stream of attractors as they do so.
Whilst molasses has many great benefits within bait production, two of its strengths can also be seen as weaknesses. Firstly, when used at meaningful levels, its distinctive liquorice aroma is likely to transmit into the finished bait which can overpower other desirable aromas. Secondly, and in some cases more importantly, molasses is a natural product which has not undergone further extraction processes to concentrate the sweetness it can deliver. This means that if a powerful natural sweetness is required (in baits such pop-ups, particles, boilie mixes etc.) without the effect on colour, taste and aroma which molasses delivers then a product such as Talin would be more suitable.
Whichever way you look at it, sugars are a very important year-round attractor and should not be overlooked – even in savoury baits!