This method, which may form the basis of molasses purchasing contracts, measures the sucrose in cane or beet molasses in the absence of interference from raffinose, kestoses and unknown substances which give rise to optically active substances on hydrolysis. ICUMSA studies have confirmed such interferences as being usual, so that the result obtained is referred to as ‘apparent sucrose’. The method is then intended as a method for assessing the value of molasses, in terms of its apparent sucrose content in order to satisfy a commercial requirement but it does not purport to measure true sucrose.