7 Brown Sugar Substitute Options for Wholesale Distributors

By
Lauren Platero
Table of Contents
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    Looking for a brown sugar substitute to distribute wholesale? If so, you found yourself a complete guide to substitutes for brown sugar. It’s no secret that selling sugar can lead to massive profits. But when you diversify your product catalog by selling alternatives to things like regular white or flavored sugar wholesale, you create the potential for record-breaking sales. Now, if you’re contemplating which sugar substitutes you can swap out brown sugar for, read on!

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    Why Would Someone Use a Brown Sugar Substitute?

    Brown sugar is a super sweet ingredient due to the presence of molasses. So, a brown sugar substitute must be just as sweet. But aside from running out of brown sugar, why would a consumer or executive chef ever opt for a brown sugar substitute? See below for a handful of circumstances as to why this might take place: 

    • An alternative might be more cost-effective.
    • Another ingredient may be more sustainable.
    • A brown sugar substitute might be healthier.
    • A substitute might be needed for certain food trends.
    • Brown sugar isn’t always vegan and cruelty-free.
    • A texture other than the granulated feel of brown sugar might be necessary for a recipe. 

    It’s possible for sugar wholesale suppliers to find other reasons to opt for a brown sugar substitute. The list above just scratches the surface. Now, check out the next section for which ingredients those substitutes comprise. 

    Top 7 Brown Sugar Substitutes

    If you’re looking to sell a brown sugar substitute, you’re in luck! Depending on what you need brown sugar for to begin with, there are numerous options that you can distribute. Take a look at several choices below. 

    1. Coconut Sugar

    If you want a brown sugar substitute that has the same granulated texture, opt for coconut sugar. Not only is the consistency the same as brown sugar, but the flavor, scent, and color are nearly identical. So when you replace one with the other, the final result doesn’t differ too drastically. 

    One of the best aspects of using coconut sugar as a brown sugar substitute is that there’s a perfect 1:1 ratio. When using a sweetener that’s a liquid, you might have to be careful with how much you use. But not here. That’s why any pastry chef or baking enthusiast can use them interchangeably.

    2. Maple Syrup

    If you’re looking to distribute a natural substitute for brown sugar, look no further than organic maple syrup. Not only is the real deal unprocessed and better for your health, but it’s vegan. Now you might be thinking–isn’t all sugar vegan? Surprisingly, it’s not! 

    Granulated white sugar often contains traces of bone char, which is used to make the color so bright and clean. And considering that brown sugar utilizes white sugar, there’s a likelihood that many brown sugar brands don't accommodate those living a cruelty-free lifestyle.

    3. Honey

    While honey and brown sugar vary quite a bit when it comes to flavor, they add just as much sweetness. Plus, honey contains a significant amount of benefits that brown sugar just can’t compete with. In fact, there isn’t even a brown sugar substitute that can compare to the health perks that honey has to offer. For instance, it contains a wide array of antibacterial properties, antioxidants, and immunity-supporting compounds.

    4. Molasses

    Did you know that molasses is the ingredient that gives brown sugar its unique scent, flavor, and color? Therefore, whenever you’re looking for a brown sugar substitute, you can add molasses to the recipe. Considering that molasses is a liquid ingredient with a thick consistency, using it alone is best in beverage recipes. 

    But if you have molasses and regular white sugar on hand, you can ditch the need for a brown sugar substitute and make your own! Simply mix a tablespoon or so of molasses with granulated sugar until it’s evenly distributed. And there you’ll have it–homemade brown sugar!

    5. Agave Syrup

    If you are interested in marketing brown sugar for its caramel-like flavor, then agave syrup should function as a great brown sugar substitute. While light agave has a very mild flavor, medium and dark agave have rich caramel flavors. Some culinary experts might even go as far as saying that they’re similar to dulce de leche. Plus, it’s 100% vegan. So, as a wholesale distributor, you’ll be able to market agave to a much wider client base. 

    6. Date Sugar

    Another brown sugar substitute that's comparable to something like coconut sugar is date sugar. It's a granular texture, which means that it can also be used as a 1:1 replacement for brown sugar. In other words, a wholesale food distributor can market both types of sugar similarly. The best part? It contains vitamins, minerals, and fiber! To name a few, magnesium, copper, and potassium are present in date sugar. After all, it does come from a fruit.

    7. Stevia

    Stevia is one of the best artificial sweeteners, as it contains zero calories. It might even tie with the coveted monk fruit sweetener. After all, many different types of chefs, bakers, and consumers alike agree that stevia is actually sweeter than cane sugar. We get it–that’s a pretty bold statement for something that contains not a single calorie. And as a result, you're able to add less stevia to a recipe and make it just as sweet as it would be with sugar.

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    How to Source a Quality Brown Sugar Substitute

    If you’d like to distribute a brown sugar substitute to the masses, there are several ways to approach the process. See below for several examples of how to do so:

    • Purchase brown sugar substitutes from a white label sugar supplier. 
    • Find brown sugar substitute products that you can buy wholesale and resell.
    • Source your own brown sugar substitute by investing in raw materials, production equipment, and facilities. 

    Choose the kind of brown sugar substitute that you would like to distribute first. Then, you’ll be able to negotiate things like the sugar wholesale price and conduct demand planning efforts. If you ever branch out and distribute something like a powdered sugar substitute or erythritol artificial sweeteners, be sure to familiarize yourself with health and safety regulations. Since there’s a likelihood that a brown sugar substitute won’t be all-natural, it’s vital that you understand the makeup of whichever ingredient you end up selling wholesale

    Frequently Asked Questions About a Brown Sugar Substitute 

    Want to learn more about substitutes for brown sugar and the category of sugar from a more general perspective? If so, take a look below at some of the most commonly asked questions:

    What Is the Best Brown Sugar Substitute?

    The top spot for the best brown sugar substitute has to go to coconut sugar. Not only does it taste and smell similar, but it has a nearly identical texture.

    Is Light or Dark Brown Sugar Better?

    Whether light or dark brown sugar is better depends on what you need it for. The only difference between the two ingredients is that for every one cup of light brown sugar, there is only one tablespoon of molasses present. Meanwhile, there are two tablespoons of molasses in one cup of dark brown sugar. 

    What Is Dark Brown Sugar?

    Dark brown sugar is just regular sugar with a little more molasses. In one cup of dark brown sugar, there are approximately two tablespoons of molasses.

    Where Can I Buy Sugar Wholesale?

    If you’re wondering where to buy sugar wholesale, consider browsing through a digital wholesale directory. Not only will you be able to shop for the best prices, but you’ll have a vast selection of choices.

    How Is Sugar Shipped?

    Sugar is shipped in moisture-resistant and airtight packaging via various shipping methods. Typically, sugar and other sweeteners are shipped with other food groups, since there isn’t a need for cold chain logistics.

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    Sell and Purchase a Brown Sugar Substitute Wholesale With BlueCart 

    With a platform like BlueCart, distributing and purchasing wholesale products, including brown sugar substitutes, has never been easier. Schedule a demo with us today to learn all about our wholesale distribution features!

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    Streamline order management, grow your bottom line, and get back hours of your time with BlueCart. Schedule a demo now:
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