I want to talk to you about candles. Perhaps not what you expected, but we can cover a lot of territory in this one product. If you don’t know me, hi, my name is George, and I am a Honey Bee guy. Now that my obvious bias is out there, let me convince you why their beeswax makes the best kind of candles.
There are three types of candles we see a lot: paraffin candles made from petroleum, soy candles, and beeswax candles. But, by far, the most and cheapest candles are made from oil.
Yankee Candles are not cheap but still use paraffin which is oil. So why is using oil a bad idea? It seems obvious, but burning oil products pollutes the air. Beeswax candles clean the air of pollutants when you burn them. Beeswax candles emit negative ions that bind with particulate matter in the air, causing the floating particles to drop to the ground.
Using fossil fuel to create candles is just not environmentally sound. Beeswax candles are a renewable resource. Many suppliers of beeswax candles are in your local community. Buying their candles and other bee products helps to keep small operators in the business. We need as many pollinators in local communities as possible. Comparing how oil is captured, refined, shipped, and manufactured into products then sent again to be sold versus collecting beeswax during honey harvest for pure candles makes a choice obvious.
A few more good points about beeswax candles. First, the candles burn longer, drip less, and emit a brighter flame. Another reason is beeswax candles will have natural honey or floral scent. Finally, beeswax candles are pet-friendly as no toxins are used in natural candles.
Now let us talk about soy candles. I have seen these everywhere, proclaiming they are all-natural and on the same level as beeswax. Well, they most certainly are not.
Soybean production has been a significant contributor to the deforestation of the Amazon. In addition, herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers in soybean production are also a cause of concern.
Soybean oil used to make soy candles goes through numerous steps that bleach, deodorize, and manipulate the oil. This process softens the oil and can lead to petroleum products like paraffin being added to harden the wax. Beeswax is incredibly strong in its natural state.
Two more quick points. Soy candles emit a white light akin to fluorescents versus the warmer and brighter flame of beeswax candles. Second, beeswax candles are denser than soy candles and, as such, last longer.
If you are interested in candles, find your local beeswax candle maker and buy from them. If you are in eastern Minnesota or Western Wisconsin Wimmerswilderness.org/beehive is the place to look. We have Grade A Raw Honey, Beeswax Candles and Beeswax Lip Balm.
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