Beeswax is harvested from the honeycombs of domesticated honeybees, and is used in a variety of products that range from cosmetics to candles to polishes.
Unfiltered beeswax
Video of the Day
Straight from the beehive, beeswax contains a significant amount of pollen and honey, which accounts for its distinctively sweet, floral aroma. When sold as-is, this wax is referred to as unfiltered.
Video of the Day
Filtered beeswax
When the pollen and honey are removed from the beeswax, it acquires a lighter color, smoother texture and milder aroma. This is sold as filtered beeswax.
Advantages of unfiltered beeswax
Unfiltered wax retains its honey-like aroma and varies greatly with the type of flowers the pollen was harvested from.
Advantages of filtered beeswax
Filtered wax burns more uniformly than its unfiltered counterpart, and has a homogeneous yellow or white color. It also mixes more easily with other ingredients due to its smooth texture.
Disadvantages of unfiltered beeswax
Unfiltered wax contains small chunks of impurities that hinder burning and limit its ability to mix with other ingredients.
Disadvantages of filtered beeswax
Filtered wax lacks much of the character and aroma of unfiltered wax.