Soil dispersible and water dispersible granular nutrients for use in fertilizers include granules having a crystallized saccharide and acid binder with carboxylates (sucrates) of a nutrient embedded therein and a method of preparing the nutrient containing granules is provided. A reducible nutrient compound and citric acid is converted to a nutrient carboxylate (sucrate) and chelate by reacting the reducible nutrient and citric acid with a sprayed stream of a stoichiometric excess of reducing saccharides (sugar cane molasses) containing at least 76% by weight solids and glacial acetic acid at a temperature of 160.degree. to 175.degree. F.