Whether your business is beauty or food, knowing about the different types of sugar can help you offer the best product to customers. Sugar is used in more than just baking, with the spa industry offering sugar rubs and sugar wraps. However, not all sugars work well for spa treatments and different sugars serve different purposes in cooking and baking.

It's important to know that not every type of sugar sells on the supermarket shelves. Some sugars are specifically for commercial and professional bakers. Sugar comes from either sugar canes or sugar beets. The texture and color is what defines how sugar tastes and what it's used for. When shopping for sugar, remember the following:

1. Dark brown sugar has a deeper flavor than light brown sugar. Buy both products for baking needs.

2. Both brown and white sugar products work in spa products like sugar scrubs.

3. Sugar companies will work with private clients for specialty sugar orders.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about the different types of sugar

Before you can place an order for sugar, you need some sort of sugar education and training. This involves learning about the different types of sugar available, the uses for different sugars and the best methods for ordering sugar. It's also important to learn about the different types of artificial sweeteners. While these aren't actual sugars, they are sweetening products you may need if you run a restaurant or bakery.

I recommend: Visit The Sugar Association for the most up-to-date information about sugar, including the different types of sugar. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research lists different FDA approved sweeteners and also has medical information about artificial sweeteners.

Understand the sugar harvesting and refining processes

It's helpful to understand how sugar growers and refineries work. If you're in the market for organic sugar, knowing the growing and harvesting processes of the sugar is important. By understanding the refining process, you can determine if you want a sugar that is very refined or a sugar that is less refined, such as raw sugar.

I recommend: SKIL gives basic background information on how a sugar refinery works. Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company has a breakdown of the growing and harvesting process.

Use sugar manufacturers to get more sugar information

A sugar supplier with an online website will offer a wealth of information about sugar. Whether you're looking for wholesale sugar information or how to order specialty sugars, a sugar distributor is a good place to start.

I recommend: Florida Crystals has information about organic sugar and organic sugar products. Sugar in the Raw provides information about raw sugar, including a detailed FAQ page.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you have an interest in working in the sugar refining industry, jobs typically require some sort of engineering degree. For a job in the sugar fields, on the job training is all that's usually required.

Whatever your recipe or sugar product, you want to have the best sugar information available. There are many options to sweeten your product with: from organic sugar to syrups to sweeteners. You want to make sure you have the best option and the lowest possible price for your business product to succeed. Compare prices among various sugar factories and sugar exporters.

Sugar manufacturers offer product information for all types of sugars on their web sites. Shop around and test out different types before narrowing down what to order in bulk sizes. Look for a sugar supplier that offers all the variety your customers demand. Before picking a sugar distributor to order from, consider the following questions:

1. How much is in your business budget for wholesale sugar orders?

2. How many customers will you be serving sugar products?

3. Do you need to order from more than one sugar distributor to get the types of sugar used in your product?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Figure out what type of wholesale sugar you want to use

First, decide which type of sugar to order for your business product: granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, golden brown sugar, corn syrups or something else.

I recommend: Domino Sugar is one of the well-known sugar companies, selling all types of sugar from superfine to granulated to organic and more. Indiana Sugars has everything from raw sugar to coarse to corn sugars.

Determine how much sugar to order for your business

Figure out how much sugar products you need for your recipes or other food items. You can order 25-pound bags, 50-pound bags or larger sizes.

I recommend: Dutch Valley Bulk Foods has sugar in bulk for you to get an idea on sizes and types to order. Imperial Sugar Company lists their sugar product sizes and specifications for food service and industrial companies. Imperial also lists sugar information for its products.

Consider sugar alternatives or sweeteners for healthy-conscious customers

There are many sugar-free substitutes on the market for you to consider in your food products. Some are better than others in taste and results, so try a wide variety before narrowing it down. A natural sweetener, such as Stevia or Xylitol, can be a good bet. There are lots of no-calorie sweeteners that are bound to be popular with your customers too.

I recommend: Gillco Ingredients has sugar-free options to consider. Briess Industries produces some grain-based sweeteners and other alternatives. Roquette is a global company that produces bulk items of sugarless sweeteners.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Sugar products are now packaged in a large variety of ways, from zipper bags to cans to barrels. Check out the packaging before you order to make sure it fits in your space and has the ease of use you need.