Waxing Lyrical!

Christmas comes at the darkest time of the year, heading towards the shortest day on December 21st. We use fairy lights and candlelight to brighten those dark days and nights.  In Victorian times Merchants would give candles to their best customers at Christmas to thank them for their business throughout the year.

Wax is used to make candles but can we eat it?  Do we even know we are eating it? Is it vegetarian?

Edible wax (ester) is used to coat some fruits so they appear shiny and attractive.

Paraffin wax, derived from petroleum, is often used in chocolates to make them appear glossy and prevents the chocolate from melting at room temperature.

Shellac is used to coat sweets to give them a hard shiny appearance and is a by-product of the Lac insect.

Several years ago on Christmas Day I produced a Yuletide Log complete with a row of The Snowman candles.  They were such cute figures that I decided not to light them for fear they would melt quickly. One family member thought they were made of icing and promptly ate one!  Ah well, it didn't kill him so, although I wouldn't advise eating candles, it seems that waxes used in confectionery are in fact safe and what's more, probably vegetarian!