Provided is a method of dispersing asphaltenes to inhibit asphaltene precipitation and/or deposition in a hydrocarbon. The method includes adding to the hydrocarbon an asphaltene dispersing agent which is an ester of a mono-carboxylic fatty acid and a sugar. The sugar has at least 4 hydroxyl groups. In addition, more than one of the hydroxyl groups on the sugar are reacted with the mono-carboxylic fatty acid to form the ester.