Beeswax

Beeswax is the building block of the hive. Honeybees produce it to build the hexagon-shaped honeycomb where bees live, work, raise their young and store their food supplies.

Worker bees are responsible for producing beeswax. They have special glands on the underside of their abdomens that secrete the wax in thin sheets called scales

The first step begins with a worker bee leaving the hive to forage for pollen and nectar. These bees pass on nectar and honey to other bees who will consume it and turn it into wax. Honeybees need vast amounts of nectar to produce wax. In fact, a bee will eat six to eight pounds of honey to make just one pound of beeswax!

Once the sugar has been converted into wax, the bees will begin to secrete it through their special glands. The bees will form a chain and pass the secreted wax down the line. Each bee will take their turn chewing the wax to make it soft and pliable.

Once the wax reaches the ideal condition, the bees can begin to construct the hexagon-shaped honeycombs. The combs are then filled with honey and capped off with more wax to prevent moisture loss.

Te Kapu Apiaries beeswax is 100% pure it is separated from the honey in the extraction process. Using a knife, the beekeeper will remove the caps, collect them, and then melt them to separate the wax from any residual honey. Since the wax is lighter than the honey, it will rise to the top. The top layer of wax is removed and then allowed to cool.