Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener that functions as a fantastic alternative to refined and processed sugar. Of all the sugar substitutes on the market, organic coconut sugar is one of the healthiest options. Between its lower glycemic index and nutritional value, it’s undoubtedly an ingredient that sugar wholesale suppliers should be selling in bulk. To learn more about how to source, ship, and store coconut sugar, read on!
What Is Coconut Sugar?
Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener made from the sap of coconut palm trees. It is a healthier alternative to other processed sweeteners on the market.
The physical appearance of coconut sugar is quite similar to brown sugar, as it’s a medium shade of tan. Unlike the summery flavor and scent profile of coconuts that we all know and love, the sensory qualities of coconut sugar lean more toward caramel. So, if that’s the kind of flavor you’re planning to add to different recipes and are thinking of buying flavored sugar wholesale, you might want to consider keeping it simple and using coconut sugar instead.
Sourcing Coconut Sugar
There are three steps that coconut sugar producers must follow to create a naturally sweet ingredient. Take a look at the process below:
- Harvest the coconut palm tree sap. Instead of coconut sugar coming from the fruit of the same name, farmers must cut the flower buds. In doing so, they’re able to retrieve the sap of the coconut palm trees.
- Boil the coconut palm tree sap. This step turns the sap into a syrupy consistency. Therefore, you should boil the sap by placing it directly in the boiling water rather than using the double boiler method.
- Granulate the syrup. Once the thickened syrup cools to room temperature, granulate it so that it forms sugar crystals. To complete this process, simply break down the final product until it turns into granular particles.
The geographic region that produces coconut sugar more than anywhere else in the world is Southeast Asia. Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines produce the bulk of it due to each country’s overabundance of palm trees.
Shipping and Storing Coconut Sugar
Once you source coconut sugar, you have to ask the next question in the journey to selling it: How is sugar shipped? When selling bulk sugar wholesale, there are several protocols to follow to ensure safe and timely order deliveries. Check out several key points to keep in mind when shipping coconut sugar:
- Purchase wholesale packaging from a supplier that offers moisture-resistant bags. This step is crucial, as coming in contact with moisture will cause the sugar to dissolve.
- It’s a must that you store coconut sugar in an environment that’s completely dry and fairly cool. It’s a bonus if you can keep it out of direct sunlight. All of these variables can contribute to the degradation of coconut sugar, which also emphasizes the importance of sturdy and opaque packaging materials.
- Companies that are selling sugar internationally need to have proper documentation approved and in place. For example, invoices, nutrition labels, and certificates of origin will be needed to ship orders to wholesale clients.
- A familiarity with regulatory requirements is a must for shipping ingredients. More specifically, it’s vital that you stay up to speed on import and export policies to ensure legal transactions.
- Select the shipping methods you’ll use to transport your coconut sugar to its destination. Some of the options you have include air freight, sea freight, and ground shipping. For restaurant business models like bakeries and coffee shops, you might want to consider offering overnight shipping.
In order to deliver the best customer service possible, it’s important for sugar wholesalers and their clients to have seamless communication channels. But why? Well, it's vital for the supplier and shipping carrier to work closely with each other. This way, they can ensure that all protocols are followed, maintaining the quality and integrity of the coconut sugar during transportation.
That’s why BlueCart has a built-in messaging platform. If you’d like to learn more about this particular feature, our wholesale marketplace, and beyond, book a demo with us today!
Who Sells Coconut Sugar Wholesale?
If you’re searching where to buy sugar wholesale, know that there are several vendors on the market. It’s advisable to consider multiple vendors to determine which sugar wholesale price fits your budget. It might also be worth looking into any branding and customization services that white label sugar companies offer. The following list should be a good starting point when shopping for organic coconut sugar wholesale:
- Domino
- Südzucker Group
- Nutiva
- Cargill
- Louis Dreyfus Company
- Z Natural Foods
- Imperial Sugar Company
- Big Tree Farms
- American Crystal Sugar Company
- Louis Dreyfus Company
It’s worth noting that many of these wholesale distribution companies sell coconut sugar alternatives, too. Maybe at some point you’ll end up in the market for a powdered sugar substitute. Or, perhaps you’d like to buy a monk fruit sweetener or erythritol artificial sweeteners for diet-friendly menu types. Either way, the sugar suppliers above are sure to have what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar is quite a unique ingredient. If you’d like to learn more about it, dive into the selection of commonly asked questions and answers below!
Is Coconut Sugar as Sweet as Cane Sugar?
Cane sugar is just a tad bit sweeter than coconut sugar. Even though the use of coconut sugar can enhance the decadence of dessert menu items, it might not be a bad idea to add a little extra if a recipe calls for cane sugar. Just remember to not go overboard, since adding too much sugar to a recipe can change the desired consistency.
Is Coconut Sugar Healthy?
Coconut sugar is a healthier sweetener than processed refined white sugar and other alternatives. That's due to its lower amount of calories per serving and lower glycemic index. However, like any ingredient, it’s always best to consume coconut sugar in moderation. Too much sugar, or anything for that matter is unhealthy.
Can You Bake With Coconut Sugar?
Yes, you can swap out white or brown sugar for coconut sugar when baking sweet treats. There’s a 1:1 ratio so there aren’t any formulas to abide by when measuring the appropriate amount. Coconut sugar will contribute to baked goods with a lower glycemic index, which is ideal for healthy snacks. Depending on how much you use, coconut sugar can add a hint of a caramel flavor. So, be mindful of this when mixing various flavors.
Does Coconut Sugar Taste Like Coconuts?
Surprisingly, coconut sugar doesn’t taste like coconut. Instead, there are flavor notes reminiscent of caramel. Some culinary enthusiasts compare the flavor to brown sugar.
Is Brown Sugar Better Than Coconut Sugar?
If you’re analyzing the health aspects of brown sugar vs. coconut sugar, then the latter takes the top spot. Not only does coconut sugar have a lower glycemic index, but it also contains several vitamins and nutrients from the fruit. It’s more notably a healthy brown sugar substitute since they share similar flavor profiles. But when it comes to scent, flavor, and consistency, they’re very similar.
A Taste of Nature In Every Bite
Coconut sugar adds a subtle sweetness to food and beverages that very few artificial sweeteners can add. And considering how it’s a slightly healthier alternative to regular granulated sugar, it’s a safe option for all your culinary needs.