history of soy candles

History of Soy Candles

History of Soy Candles is an interesting exploration of the development. Soy candles  are a relatively new type of candle. Candles made from other natural  wax mediums including beeswax and bayberry wax have been around for centuries.  Soy candles are made from the natural wax from the soybean vegetable. Most likely, at one time or another, in your life you have eaten soybeans in some form. For example, numerous vegetable shortenings contain hydrogenated soybean oil. These vegetable shortenings are used to deep fry vegetables, and to make pastries and breads. Soy wax is a similiar product that is specifically used for candles and more recently in soaps, lotions and bath products.

Soy Candle Wax in its initial  form is considered by some to be edible; however, Lizzie Candle, uses soy wax specifically for all natural candles.

First reference for a soy wax candle is noted by a group of college students in 1996 from Purdue University.  The students developed a birthday candle using soybean oil and won first place in a competion sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Development Council and Purdue's Department of Agronomy.

Since the first soy candle in 1996, many exciting changes have taken place with soy wax. Many candle makers prefer "pure or 100%" soy wax while other candle makers prefer soy wax with cottonseed oil. Still other candle manufacturers prefer a mix of soy wax with beeswax, palm wax , or even paraffin.

The nicest reward from burning a soy wax candle, is the fact that it burns so clean and does not produce black soot or smoke. Soy wax is biodegradable and cleans up with plain old soap and water. Soy Candles usually burn 30% longer than paraffin candles. Lizzie Candle uses soy wax made in the USA where soy beans are grown by American Farmers.