What Is Beeswax? How Bees Make It and How People Use It
What is beeswax? Beeswax is a natural wax made by honey bees to build the honeycomb where they store honey and raise their young. People have used it for thousands of years, for candles, waterproofing, art, cosmetics and food. This guide explains how bees make wax, what it is made of, how people use it and why it is valuable.
How bees make beeswax
Worker honey bees have four pairs of wax glands on the underside of their abdomen. When workers are around two to three weeks old, these glands are most active. Bees eat honey, hang together in clusters to keep warm, and their glands release tiny, clear flakes of wax. Other bees chew the flakes, softening them, and press them into the hexagonal cells of the comb.
Making wax takes a lot of energy. Bees consume several pounds of honey to produce a pound of wax, which is one reason beekeepers often give bees back their drawn comb after extracting honey. See how is honey made.
What beeswax is made of
Beeswax is a complex mix of more than 200 compounds, mostly esters of fatty acids and long-chain alcohols, plus hydrocarbons and free fatty acids. Fresh wax is white; it turns yellow and then brown as it absorbs pollen, propolis and the remains of cocoons. It melts at about 144 to 147 degrees Fahrenheit (62 to 64 degrees Celsius), so it stays solid in a warm hive but is easy for people to melt.
How people use beeswax
| Use | Why beeswax works |
|---|---|
| Candles | Burns slowly and cleanly with a warm glow and faint honey scent |
| Food wraps | Coats cotton to make reusable, slightly sticky wraps |
| Lip balms and lotions | Thickens and seals moisture into skin |
| Food | Glazing agent on candy and cheese coatings; edible in comb |
| Wood and leather | Polishes, waterproofs and protects |
| Art | Encaustic painting, batik and lost-wax metal casting |
Is beeswax safe to eat?
Yes. In the US, beeswax is listed by the FDA as generally recognized as safe as a food ingredient, and it is used to coat candies and some cheeses. When you eat comb honey, you eat beeswax too; it passes through the body undigested. See can you eat honeycomb and chunk honey.
Beeswax in history
Beeswax has been found in prehistoric pottery from about 9,000 years ago. Ancient Egyptians used it in mummification and painting, and Roman writers described its use for writing tablets. Medieval churches used enormous amounts for candles, and monasteries often kept bees partly to supply wax. Lost-wax casting, which uses a wax model to make a mold, has been used to create bronze sculptures for thousands of years.
Caring for beeswax products
Beeswax develops a whitish coating called bloom over time, which is natural and can be wiped off or warmed away. Store beeswax candles and wraps away from heat and sun. Wash wax wraps in cool water with mild soap, since hot water melts the coating. Our honeys are strained to remove wax before jarring and never heated above hive temperature; for wax-related questions on honey, see raw unfiltered honey.
Sources
- 21 CFR 184.1973 Beeswax (yellow and white) · Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
Frequently asked questions
- How do bees make beeswax?
- Young worker bees secrete wax flakes from glands on their abdomen, then chew and shape them into comb.
- Is beeswax edible?
- Yes. It is approved as a food ingredient in the US and passes through the body undigested.
- What temperature does beeswax melt at?
- About 144 to 147 degrees Fahrenheit (62 to 64 degrees Celsius).
- Why does beeswax turn white?
- That whitish coating is bloom, a natural effect. Wipe it off or warm the wax gently.
- What is the difference between yellow and white beeswax?
- Yellow beeswax is natural. White beeswax has been bleached or filtered to remove color. Both are approved as food ingredients in the US.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
