Much noise is being made lately about the possible disappearance of the honey bee and the hoopla is certainly for good reason. The bee – as they say, IS busy – an essential in the natural cycle of life, growth and decay – an industrious, multi-tasker whose absence would most certainly be missed. One of the most incredible contributions of the honeybees is that of beeswax.
100% Pure Beeswax
Female worker bees produce the wax from the glands on their abdomens. They use the wax to build honeycomb cells, where they house pollen, honey and baby bees – creating a kind of nursery and cafeteria in one. That said, a honeycomb is not a quick thing to build – bees are known to fly over 150,000 miles (that’s six times around the globe) to gather enough pollen for just one pound of wax.
Honeycomb with Eggs at the Bottom of the Cells / Photo from commons.wikimedia.org
Beeswax was already widely used in the Ancient world. 3,500 years ago the Egyptians manufactured the world’s first candles and figurines. They also used it for a sealant for their ships. In Ancient Rome it was so valuable at times that some occupied nations paid their fees and taxes in beeswax. Up until the Middle Ages, beeswax helped in one of the earliest forms of mobile communication. Wooden plates were covered with a thin layer of wax and the message was traced into it.
Today, beeswax is considered a premium ingredient for a variety of products. It is highly regarded in restoring smooth leather and woods. Here it works simultaneously as a waterproof and polish. Mix pure beeswax with linseed oil for an incredible wood furniture polish.
Beeswax often gives supermarket apples their shiny appearance, and is used in supplements and food. You can find it on the ingredients list either directly as beeswax, or labled E901. Even the not-so natural Jelly Beans and Haribo Gummibears rely on beeswax for their shine.
Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are the biggest purchaser of beeswax, accounting for 60 percent of the market. Beeswax helps to stabilize lotions and creams and increase their capacity to hold water. Churches use beeswax candles because they burn longer and drip less.
Some better cheese manufacturers still dip their cheese in beeswax before aging (which also serves as the packaging). Unfortunately, most major brands have switched to plastic, which sometimes leaves an unpleasant taste. This scamorza has a string tied around it from which it is dipped in beeswax.
Scamorza - A Smoked Mozzarella Dipped in Beeswax
Pure beeswax is usually sold in solid cakes or chips and useful to have on hand – the classic restoration show ‘This Old House’ lists 10 practical uses of beeswax around the home.
Napoleon's Wax Death Mask
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