Author: Dr. Andreas Kokott (About the Author)
When beeswax is secreted by the wax glands of worker bees, it is whitish to almost colorless. During the processing of the wax in the hive, pollen pigments become incorporated into the wax. This changes its color, turning it from light yellow to golden yellow. The more frequently the bees work the wax, the darker it becomes.
The wax is particularly fresh when the bees use it to seal the honey cells (capping). It has hardly come into contact with pollen pigments and is therefore white to cream-colored. Cappings wax is considered purer and is particularly popular for making cosmetics, as yellow to brown (older) beeswax would be undesirable in terms of color.
Although beeswax is produced by bees, it is also an industrial product that is industrially purified and bleached. During this process, not only the color but also the characteristic scent is lost. This white beeswax is used primarily in the cosmetics and food industries.
Why should we nevertheless be interested in white and colored beeswax?
- Yellow beeswax does not always fit into a particular color scheme. For table candles, the color should harmonize with the other colors on the table, such as napkins, tableware, tablecloths, and so on.
- At a market stall selling candles made by beekeepers, yellow is usually the dominant color. White or differently colored candles attract attention. Customers may ask whether these white candles are really made from beeswax. The conversation that follows — explaining that bees produce white wax and that pollen pigments play a role in its coloration — creates an opportunity to engage with the customer.
- Colors give you the freedom to unleash your creativity. New products can be created that also help you stand out from the competition.
It is therefore worth exploring white and colored beeswax as well.
TIP: Old church candles had a characteristic ivory color. You can achieve this by mixing approximately 5% yellow beeswax with 95% white beeswax. The exact mixing ratio needs to be determined by trial and error, as yellow beeswax can range from light yellow to dark yellow.
Image: White beeswax (left), ivory-colored beeswax (right)
More examples using colored beeswax or dipped beeswax candles.
