Beeswax is a substance found in the honeycomb.
The yellowish substance is made from the natural secretions of bees formed collecting nectar from flowers.
The nectar that is ingested by bees to produce honey is then formed into "scales" by eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal region of the female worker bees.
Although beeswax is popular in its hardened form, its layers are thin in a fresh honeycomb.
There are three main types of beeswax: yellow (available at Organic Trade & Investments), white (bleached, and beeswax absolute (yellow beeswax treated with alcohol).
OTI unrefined beeswax is sourced from our natural pure wild honey.
In the cosmetic industry, beeswax is used as a stiffening agent and a fragrance in soaps and perfumes. In manufacturing, yellow and white beeswax are used as emulsifiers and thickeners.
White beeswax and beeswax absolute are also used to polish pills. It can also be used to produce candles.
Beeswax is also praised for relieving pain, fungal skin infections, and other conditions, yet, there is no good scientific research to support these uses.
In the face of the numerous uses of this natural product, the question lies: Is beeswax edible?
Beeswax is 100% edible!
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration includes beeswax on its list of food for human consumption and generally recognized as safe.
Beeswax is said to have similarly negligible toxicity to plant waxes and is approved for food use in most countries and in the European Union under the E number E901.
However, it is advised not to be eaten frequently, especially in its unrefined state as it can't be broken down in your intestines.
Beeswax is used to manage high cholesterol. According to Healthline (a medical blog), “the long-chain fatty acids and alcohols found in beeswax may reduce high blood cholesterol levels, a risk factor for heart disease”.
A review by James L Hargrove, Phillip Greenspan, Diane K Hartle (Nutritional significance and metabolism of very long chain fatty alcohols and acids from dietary waxes) stated that beeswax alcohols may help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol by up to 29% while raising “good” HDL cholesterol by 8–15%.
In foods and beverages, white beeswax and beeswax absolute are used as stiffening agents. It is also used as a food additive, in small quantities acting as a glazing agent. Beeswax is a very common ingredient in most chewing gums.
Beeswax can be used to provide surface protection for some fruits to prevent water loss.
Pharmaceutical companies also use beeswax in the production of soft gelatin capsules and tablet coatings.
In addition to all these ways beeswax is eaten, it is used as a coating for cheese; by sealing out the air, protection is given against spoilage (mold growth).
How to use beeswax for culinary purposes?
1. Beeswax In chocolate
Meanwhile, you can add some beeswax to your chocolate next time you make some at home. This will keep it from melting. It gives it a nice shiny coat and can be used for edible flowers and tipping strawberries.
2. Beeswax in baking
You can use beeswax in place of fatty margarine to keep the surface of your baking pan new. This also prevents food from sticking in it so much.
Simply use a clean cloth to rub beeswax onto the surface and cook with the pans as you normally would. Continually doing this would save you stress over time because the surface will be maintained and there won’t be a need for you to grease them.
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