Sugar 101: A Breakdown of Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Sugars
Not all sugar is created equal. From the way it’s processed to the plant it’s harvested from, many factors within the sugar supply chain can impact the taste, performance and quality of the end product. At Wholesome, we pride ourselves on sourcing high-quality Fair Trade and organic sugars. Here’s what makes our sugar so special.
When most people think of sugar, they think of refined white sugar, which has undergone a lengthy process to remove impurities. This process often involves chemical bleaching agents to achieve a bright white color, and the sugarcane and sugar beets used are usually genetically modified and treated with pesticides. Meanwhile, the workers that grow and produce this sugar may or may not have been treated fairly.
At Wholesome, we source sugarcane that’s grown organically, without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Secondly, our products are Non-GMO Verified, which means no genetically modified crops were used in our sugar production. Third, all our products are Fair Trade Certified, which means we treat farmers fairly, paying them a living wage and supporting their communities through Fair Trade premiums. These premiums are used to build schools, purchase agricultural equipment, improve healthcare and more.
At Wholesome, we do business with heart and instill our mission in everything we do. We’re dedicated to creating positive, meaningful change in the world through our products, and we bring farmers and bakers together by creating better food.
WHOLESOME’S ORGANIC, FAIR TRADE SUGARS
ORGANIC FAIR TRADE CANE SUGAR
USDA Organic • Fair Trade Certified • Non-GMO Verified • Kosher • Gluten-Free • Vegan
Our Organic Fair Trade Cane Sugar is quite unique. Hand-harvested in South America and sustainably grown and processed, it will add full flavor and perfect sweetness to your morning coffee or favorite baked goods. We don’t use any chemical bleaching, so our cane sugar offers full flavor. These sugar crystals also retain a hint of natural molasses; a by-product that’s removed during cane sugar processing.
This sugar is Fair Trade Certified, which means we pay farmers a fair living wage that’s above what they’d make without Fair Trade Standards. We pay a premium to our partner cooperatives that’s voted upon democratically to improve the community, and we ensure our farmers work in optimal conditions.
Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Cane Sugar can be used as a 1:1 replacement for Conventional Cane Sugar.
ORGANIC FAIR TRADE MOLASSES
USDA Organic • Fair Trade Certified • Non-GMO Verified • Kosher • Gluten-Free • Vegan
Our Organic Fair Trade Molasses is made from organically grown sugarcane in Paraguay and harvested by hand. It’s the product of the “first crystallization” of the sugar-making process. That’s when the sugarcane juice is boiled down until the sugars crystallize. Molasses is the sugar that’s left over after crystallization.
Wholesome molasses is “unsulphured.” That means it doesn’t contain sulfur, which is sometimes used as a preservative in the molasses-making process. Expect a rich, full-bodied, robust flavor that can add natural color and opulent caramel molasses tones to your favorite recipes. It’s also an excellent source of iron, vitamin B6, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Molasses can be used as a 1:1 replacement for Conventional Molasses.
ORGANIC FAIR TRADE LIGHT BROWN SUGAR
USDA Organic • Fair Trade Certified • Non-GMO Verified • Kosher • Gluten-Free • Vegan
Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Light Brown Sugar is a blend of our Organic Fair Trade Cane Sugar and Organic Fair Trade Molasses, both of which are sustainably grown and processed. The result is a warm caramel flavor that tastes delicious in baked goods, warm oatmeal and savory dishes like baked beans.
Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Light Brown Sugar can be usedas a 1:1 replacement
for Conventional Light Brown Sugar.
ORGANIC FAIR TRADE DARK BROWN SUGAR
USDA Organic • Fair Trade Certified • Non-GMO Verified • Kosher • Gluten-Free • Vegan
A rich sweetener, Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Dark Brown Sugar is a combination of Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Cane Sugar and Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Molasses, both of which are grown and processed sustainably.
This sugar has a stronger molasses flavor than our Organic Fair Trade Light Brown Sugar, and the
molasses content is visible in its dark, sparkly crystals. You’ll find that this sugar tastes absolutely
delicious in baked goods, adding rich flavor to oatmeal, yogurt and more.
Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Dark Brown Sugar can be used as a 1:1 replacement
for Conventional Dark Brown Sugar.
ORGANIC FAIR TRADE POWDERED SUGAR
USDA Organic • Fair Trade Certified • Non-GMO Verified • Kosher • Gluten-Free • Vegan
Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Powdered Sugar is also organically grown and hand-harvested in South America. It’s a finely ground version of our cane sugar that can be used in baking and topping. Sustainably grown and processed, this sugar is ultrafine and ground at 12x the crystal size of cane sugar.(Conventional powdered sugar is ground at 6x or 10x.) With its silky texture, this ultrafine grind will blend effortlessly into your favorite recipes.
Our Organic Cane Sugar is corn-free and blended with tapioca starch.
(Most conventional powdered sugar is blended with corn starch.)
Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Powdered Sugar can be used as a 1:1 replacement
for Conventional Powdered Sugar.
ORGANIC FAIR TRADE RAW CANE TURBINADO SUGAR
USDA Organic • Fair Trade Certified • Non-GMO Verified • Kosher • Gluten-Free • Vegan
Hand-harvested in South America, our Organic Fair Trade Raw Cane Turbinado Sugar is made from organic sugarcane. It’s made by crushing freshly cut sugarcane and squeezing out the juice. The cane juice is evaporated and spun in a turbine, which creates the large sparkling golden crystals (also referred to as “Raw Cane” or “Demerara”). Since it retains naturally occurring molasses, this sugar provides a rich flavor that’s perfect for topping baked goods or stirring into hot beverages.
Like other Wholesome sugar products, our Organic Raw Cane Turbinado Sugar is Fair Trade Certified and supports the farming communities in South America who source some of our products.
Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Raw Cane Turbinado Sugar can be used as a 1:1 replacement
for conventional Turbinado Sugar.
NATURAL FAIR TRADE RAW CANE TURBINADO SUGAR
Fair Trade Certified • Non-GMO Verified • Kosher • Gluten-Free • Vegan
Hand-harvested in Malawi and Mauritius, Wholesome Natural Fair Trade Raw Cane Turbinado Sugar is sustainably grown and processed. Since it retains much of the naturally occurring molasses in sugarcane juice, it gives your baked goods a deliciously rich flavor. Its large, crunchy crystals (also called Turbinado or Demerara) are perfect for topping, providing an artisanal look and feel to muffins, cakes, pies and more.
Our Fair Trade programs have made a significant impact on the daily lives of the sugarcane communities who source many of our products. For example, these programs provide water wells for fresh drinking water, freeing up time so that community members can focus on education and other activities.
Wholesome Natural Fair Trade Raw Cane Turbinado Sugar can be used as a 1:1 replacement
for Conventional Cane or Turbinado Sugar.
NATURAL FAIR TRADE CANE SUGAR
Fair Trade Certified • Non-GMO Verified • Kosher • Gluten-Free • Vegan
Wholesome Natural Fair Trade Cane Sugar is made from sugarcane grown in Malawi, Africa. It’s a high-quality, natural sugar made from freshly squeezed sugarcane juice. Produced from the first crystallization, this evaporated cane juice locks in the sugar’s natural flavor, and the delicious blonde crystals retain a hint of naturally occurring molasses. Try it in baked goods to add pure, full flavor!
Wholesome Natural Fair Trade Cane Sugar can be used as a 1:1 replacement for Conventional Cane Sugar.
ORGANIC FAIR TRADE SUCANAT PANELA WHOLE CANE SUGAR
USA Organic • Fair Trade Certified • Non-GMO Verified • Kosher • Gluten-Free • Vegan
Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Sucanat (which stands for Sugar Cane Natural) is a whole, unrefined cane sugar made from organic sugarcane that’s hand-harvested in Costa Rica. It’s the least refined cane sugar you can find outside of a cane stalk, and it’s made by crushing freshly cut sugarcane, extracting the juice and heating it in a large vat. Once the juice is reduced to a rich, dark syrup, it’s hand-paddled, which cools and dries the syrup, creating the flavorful dried granules we call Sucanat. Nothing is added or taken out of this product. (100% of molasses is retained, and each crystal is 13% molasses.) Sucanat contains trace amounts of iron, calcium, vitamin B6, potassium and chromium.
This is a delicious option for baking your favorite recipes, adding a rich, pure flavor that you can taste.
Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Sucanat can be used as a 1:1 replacement
for Conventional Cane Sugar or Brown Sugar.
ORGANIC COCONUT PALM SUGAR
USDA Organic • Non-GMO Verified • Kosher • Gluten-Free • Vegan
Sustainably harvested from family plantations in Indonesia, Wholesome Organic Coconut Palm Sugar is made from the nectar of the flower of the Coconut Palm Tree. It’s produced by tapping the sweet nectar from the tropical coconut palm flower and drying the nutrient-rich juice in a large open kettle drum. The juice condenses into a delicious, handmade whole brown sugar that will add warm color and a delicious caramel flavor to your favorite recipes.
Wholesome Organic Coconut Palm Sugar can be used as a 1:1 replacement
for Conventional Cane Sugar or Brown Sugar.
Many Wholesome products are qualified to use the following:
