The Evolution of Candles

Candles have been in use for thousands of years. For the past one hundred years, the primary source of candle light was paraffin wax, a leftover residue of petroleum refining. Behind the bright glow of a petroleum candle was a dark problem: burning paraffin created toxic soot deposits in the home environment. The harmful effects of this indoor air pollution are just now being understood.
Accounts of candle use date back to ancient times, with biblical references as early as the 10th Century B.C. Tallow, fat rendered from cattle and sheep, was the most popular form of wax used to make candles and it wasn't until the Middle Ages that beeswax was introduced.
The growth of commercial whaling in the late 18th Century brought with it the first significant change in candle making since the Middle Ages. It was discovered that crystallizing Sperm Whale oil made a superior wax that was available in large quantities. This wax was harder than both tallow and beeswax, so it burned longer and did not soften in the summer heat.

The candle has evolved through an amazing and diverse journey. Today, demand for soy-based and all-natural wax candles is definitely on the rise as consumers respond to studies showing that paraffin candles potentially harm the indoor environment. Read more...