Why is rapeseed and coconut wax the perfect blend for candles?
As an independent brand and a one woman show, I’m always trying to educate myself on how to improve and deliver a better product. This is especially the case when it comes to sustainability. This ongoing learning process has led me to the realisation that just because something is natural doesn’t necessarily mean it’s sustainable. That’s why in 2020 I made the switch to a rapeseed wax blend instead of simple soy wax. Rapeseed is UK-grown and has no connections to mass deforestation, like soy does. It’s super versatile so can be blended with other waxes, and it also offers a range of benefits that align perfectly with Cedar’s values. Let’s hear it for rapeseed! Read on as I delve a little deeper on why I love working with it so much.
What is rapeseed wax?
You’re probably familiar with those vibrant yellow fields that make up large swathes of the British countryside in summer? Well, that’s rapeseed. This bright crop is a member of the brassica (mustard) family and has been cultivated in the UK for centuries. It’s amazingly adaptable and is used for cooking oil, animal feed, bio oil and of course wax!
What do you blend rapeseed wax with and why?
When it comes to candles, rapeseed can be used in isolation, and Cedar products do prioritise rapeseed, however I prefer to blend rapeseed with a little coconut wax. Coconut has both a lovely texture and a low melting point, which helps it to soften the rapeseed and gives off a lovely hot scent throw.
What is coconut wax?
Coconut wax comes from the meat of coconuts. Yes, it’s called meat! This is refined to collect an oil that is then processed into wax. Coconut wax has a low melting point and a natural creamy colour. It’s absolutely ideal for creating candles and wax melts.
Why is rapeseed and coconut wax the perfect blend for candles?
Firstly, this blend is all sustainable and all natural. It’s made using rapeseed wax which is derived from the rapeseed plant grown right here in the UK. It’s a much more sustainable alternative to soy, the cultivation of which contributes to mass deforestation, heavy use of pesticides, as well feed for the hugely pollutive meat industry. Soy also tends to be shipped from North and South America, which comes with its own environmental implications.
Coconuts, as you will know, can’t be grown in the UK as we sadly don’t have a tropical climate. The coconut wax in Cedar products however comes from ethically sourced non-GMO coconut plants. This is a renewable and high yield crop which essentially means that to produce a large amount of wax, the farmers don’t have to grow ridiculous amounts of coconut trees.
Both rapeseed and coconut waxes are completely natural, biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals, making them the perfect blend for Cedar candles. As a blend, the low melting point results in a clean, even burn that works particularly well with essential oils. I’ve tried numerous waxes and combinations throughout my six years of candle making, and the rapeseed, coconut blend has by far the longest (and therefore best) burn time. This means that you get to enjoy your candle for longer. The blend also produces less soot than other waxes, ideal for creating a clean, soothing atmosphere.
If you want to know more about the world of candle making, aromatherapy and essential oils, I run a number of workshops through Cedar. You can find details of the where and when on the site here. Alternatively, you can spark a Cedar candle and let those natural fragrances do what they do best: transport us to a pure and tranquil place, a space for rest, peace and regeneration.