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.

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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?

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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.

Sugar is a large part of the American diet. From breakfast pastries to lunchtime teas to dinnertime desserts, there are many restaurants and commercial kitchens that rely on sugar. Whether you're in the sugar refining business or an owner and operator of a commercial kitchen, it's wise to familiarize yourself with some terms associated with sugar. Here's a glimpse at some words associated with sugar.

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Granulated sugar

Granulated sugar refers to sugar that has been made from highly refined beet or sugar cane. It is white in color and is made up of little coarse granules.

I recommend: Visit Imperial Sugar Company. This company offers a PDF article on the granulated sugar that the company sells in bulk to businesses.

Sugar dryer, sugar drier

A sugar dryer is a large-scale machine used by sugar refiners or companies that refine sugar in-house to produce other products that dries the sugar out, removing all of the moisture during the refining process.

I recommend: Visit Shrijee Company, which produces commercial sugar driers. Kilburn Engineering Limited also produces large-scale sugar dryers.

Sugar cane juicer

A sugar cane juicer is a commercial machine (found in high-end restaurants, juice bars and commercial kitchens) that processes sugar cane and produces a sugar cane juice. The sugar cane juice is used as a granulated sugar substitute in high-end desserts, pastries, cocktails and more.

I recommend: Visit Best Juicing.com for an article discussing a sugar cane juicer. Trade Key also has a description of a sugar cane juicer.

Vacuum pan

A vacuum pan is a piece of equipment that helps separate the muddy extract from the sugar cane plant as it is refined into granulated sugar.

I recommend: Visit Aromen Engineering Company, which manufactures sugar refining equipment and has an explanation of vacuum pans on its website. The Sugar Engineers' Library also has a description of various types of vacuum pans.

Superfine sugar

Superfine sugar is a sugar made from sugar cane. It is continuously processed and refined until the small granules have been pulverized to the point where they are of minuscule size. The final product is fine, white, tiny granules. It is most commonly used in commercial bakeries for mousses, custards and other desserts.

I recommend: Visit C&H sugar company for an explanation of superfine sugar. Domino Sugar also offers information on superfine sugar.

Cane sugar

Cane sugar refers to sugar that has been harvested from the sugar cane plant but has not been refined at all. Brown in color and grainy in texture, many commercial kitchens add cane sugar to baked goods or after-dinner drinks, such as a cappuccino.

I recommend: Visit C&H Sugar Company for a description of washed, raw cane sugar.

Purchasing sugar for your business or restaurant is an ongoing expense. The cost of this condiment varies greatly depending on the type of sugar and the packaging you choose. Sugar manufacturers produce various types of sugars from brown sugar to confectioners’ sugar to granulated sugar, each of which has a different purpose.

When you plan your budget to include sugar, you have to consider not only the cost of sugar but also the cost of containers to place the sugar in. Check out these suggestions about sugar pricing and costs to help you plan appropriately.

1. Use bulk sugar for recipes and refilling sugar containers.

2. Offer sugar cubes as part of a coffee or tea service station.

3. Minimize the risk of germs by offering sugar packets.

4. Keep the sugar contained and contaminate free by using sugar containers.

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

Purchase bulk sugar

Bulk sugar, often sold in 25 pound or 50 pound bags and/or boxes, is for use in restaurants for cooking and refilling sugar containers. This method is the least expensive offered by the sugar industry.

I recommend: Honeyville Grain is a sugar distributor that offers bulk packages of sugar. Prices start at around $50 for a 50-pound bag of sugar. Edible Nature sells kosher granulated sugar. A 25-pound box is priced around $60.

Consider sugar cubes

Sugar cubes are a good option for businesses that serve coffee in a reception area or any other public area. These cubes don't require a spoon. Many companies offer sugar cubes on a platter with a small pair of tongs to pick them up.

I recommend: CoffeeIcon.com sells sugar products, including sugar cubes. A single box of sugar cubes from this company is under $3. AllinKosher.com is a sugar supplier that offers boxes of kosher sugar for under $2 per box.

Buy packets from sugar companies

If your company offers take out food or if you just don't want to deal with refilling sugar containers, sugar packets may be your answer. These packets offer an individual serving size of sugar in each pack. The downside to these is that they are slightly more expensive than bulk sugar or sugar cubes. Additionally, some organizations believe the packaging isn't environmentally friendly.

I recommend: ReStockIt.com sells wholesale sugar packets for under $10 per case. This company offers quantity discounts. Sam's Club sells sugar packets by the case. Expect to pay around $15 per case from this company.

Factor in the price of sugar holders

When you place sugar on a table or a counter, you need a sugar holder or caddy to keep the sugar in. These can be large containers that allow the user to pour the sugar out. They can also be small, decorative containers that hold sugar packets. When you order containers for sugar, information including the type of sugar they will hold is useful to ensure you purchase the most appropriate holders.

I recommend: WEBstaurant Store sells restaurant wares, including tabletop sugar dispensers. These items are between $2 and $3. However, this is before quantity discounts. InstaWares offers a varied selection of sugar caddies, including metal, plastic, glass and ceramic. Prices start under $1 for plastic caddies and go higher than $60 for metal and glass. This company sells caddies by the case to help you save money.