The basic break down is, pick lots of bayberries, boil them in water, filter it through cheesecloth, allow it to cool so wax separates and hardens. Then melt with some beeswax and make taper candles. If you’ve ever made your own tapers before the process for dipping is the same.

What are bayberry candles made from?

Bayberry wax candles have a traditional history dating back to the earliest settlers of our country (my ancestors, too!), as the plant is native to the east coast. Bayberry wax is made from melt bayberries and collecting the wax that rises to the top of the water.

How do you harvest bayberry?

Harvest the root in late autumn and pound to separate bark from the root. Dry thoroughly and powder. Gather the berries early in the morning in the fall or winter and boil to remove the wax. The wax will float on top and can be skimmed off.

Why are bayberry candles so expensive?

And, they would make the candles made from the tallow or animal fat from the animals that were slaughtered during the year. Natural plant oils were also added to the beeswax to give off a more pleasant fragrance and so these candles were more expensive to make than the tallow candles.

How many bayberries do you need for a candle?

It is a nitrogen-fixing plant, making it a good addition to a permaculture hedgerow or understory planting. With northern bayberry, about 4 to 6 pounds of berries are needed to produce one pound of wax.

Is bayberry wax safe?

Bayberry may NOT be safe for anyone, but it is especially risky for people with the following conditions: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Bayberry is considered POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take by mouth or apply to the skin if you are pregnant or breast-feeding because it contains a chemical that can cause cancer.

What scent is Bayberry?

What does Bayberry Fragrance Oil Smell Like? This fragrance oil by Natures Garden is a nice blend of fir and balsam and delicate spicy undertones of nutmeg and ginger.

How do you dry bayberry leaves?

You can either dry individual leaves in a dehydrator at 95F, or bundle the stems together with an elastic band and hang them somewhere dry and out of direct sun. When drying is complete, store the dried bayberry leaves in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.

Are bay leaves the same as bayberry?

Today bayberry leaf is commonly used as an herb, enjoyed in much the same way as bay leaf, its more popular cousin. Where to look: The salt-tolerant shrubs can be found growing on dunes, in coastal woodlands, and along ponds in sandy soil.

What can you make with bayberry leaves?

So far, the finely chopped fresh bayberry leaves have lent themselves well to a fresh herb rub for baby back ribs and under-the-skin stuffing for roast chicken (they were mixed with sweet butter). Gin infused with the leaves takes on a delicately green herbal note, which works well with the spirit’s juniper kick.

Where did the bayberry candle tradition originate?

Bayberry candles are usually olive green in color and have a nice scent that permeates the house. Bayberry candles have been in North America since Colonial times. This is likely why they were chosen, as they were a special treat during the holiday season. May this legend come true for you.

How do you make bayberry wax?

The basic break down is, pick lots of bayberries, boil them in water, filter it through cheesecloth, allow it to cool so wax separates and hardens. Then melt with some beeswax and make taper candles. If you’ve ever made your own tapers before the process for dipping is the same.

Is Bayberry an evergreen?

Bayberry is an upright-rounded, dense shrub with semi-evergreen, dark green, leathery leaves. It has small waxy, persistent blue-gray fruit, which add winter interest and attract many species of birds.

What do Bayberries taste like?

Some describe the flavor of the berry as falling somewhere between a strawberry, a cranberry and a pomegranate, with the texture of an orange and a pit like a cherry. It’s sweet but not saccharine, tart without puckering your lips.

Are Bayberries edible?

Edible parts of Northern Bayberry: Fruit – raw or cooked. The fruit is about 4mm in diameter and contains a single large seed. There is very little edible flesh and this is of poor quality. The leaves and fruit are used as a food flavouring in soups etc.