This post was originally shared in our email newsletter on July 21st, 2023.
While most of you have probably not received a melted candle, those of you who have know how disappointing it is to receive a sloshy, waxy package—and that’s why we’re focusing so heavily on this topic.
As I indicated earlier this week, today we are shipping our first full production runs of candles with a new wax formula. So what’s different about the formula and is this the holy grail wax we’ve been talking about these past few years?
The beauty of this solution is that we are only minorly tweaking our coconut wax, using existing ingredients. Practically speaking, we’re adding a smidge of organic beeswax (the same beeswax we use to adhere our wicks to the glass instead of hot melt glue).
It boggles my mind how well this works because in the past we have done countless experiments with beeswax—but always using much larger quantities—and hadn’t had much luck. Based on the feedback we received with our final formula, I don’t think anyone would be able to notice the change without being made aware of it.
Meanwhile this small tweak is driving a profound change in the melt point: increasing the candles’ temperature resistance up by 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, depending which metric you use.
The key: a tiny amount of this organic beeswax (in bead form)
This isn’t the end of our wax journey. Work continues on our regenerative palm wax. Besides doing everything this updated formula can, that wax will create the first direct trade, transparent, organic- and fair trade-certified wax for scented candles. And that will be well worth the 8 years of sweat, blood, and tears to bring it about. 😅
I’d love to hear what you think about all this wonky wax and supply chain business. Does it have parallels in other products or decisions in your life? Simply reply to this email.
In service,
— Harry from Keap, Steward-Owner
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