Animal fat and tallow candles used to be the most widely used type of candles until bayberry wax was discovered. That was the beginning of bayberry candles, some of the finest made nowadays, that can even compete with the perfect beeswax candles. Bayberry wax is extracted from the berries of a shrub that grows in North America and Canada. It was discovered by colonists who where trying to get rid of the heavy bad smell of animal fat candles. The creation of bayberry candles was a necessity not a rush for personal comfort. Bayberry wax is still manufactured today, and the candles made of it have high quality standards.

Bayberry candles and Christmas

Though successfully used all year round, bayberry candles are traditionally burnt on Christmas Eve. The natural scent of the berries gives a specific atmosphere people normally associate them with Christmas. It is said the house where such candles are burnt during the holidays will be prosperous during the coming year, and protected against bad happenings. Bayberry candles are definitely remarkable! What makes them even more appreciated is to know what a difficult technological process it is to extract wax from the berries.

Berry harvest period is in late autumn. Afterwards they are boiled in water and the wax that they leave floats to the top of the vessel while the remaining of the fruit sink to the bottom. The next step consists of skimming and straining the wax that can then be turned into the bayberry candles we use. However, these candles usually contain 80% bayberry wax and 20% beeswax, a combination that improves product quality. Should there appear some white powder on you bayberry candles, don't worry. Usually that is called bloom and it easily cleans away. It is the best proof that the wax is 100% natural

Scented bayberry candles

Bayberry candles have a natural light aroma, which comes as an inherent feature of the bayberry wax they're made of. If the candle has a strong scent, then some strong essence - probably chemical - could have been added in the wax. There are home-business candle manufacturers that make some of the best bayberry candles you'll ever find. Usually, such candles, particularly tapers, are hand-made and pay all the more a tribute to the skill of their creators. Enjoy these candles during meals or to simply add a pleasant touch to a friendly or family gathering.