Have you noticed that some beeswax wraps brands are made using Pine Resin whilst others promote their use of Dammar Resin?
Beeswax wraps are all made by saturating fabric in a blended mixture of beeswax (for its antibacterial qualities), natural oils (to add softness and flexibility) and tree resin (from which they get their ‘stickiness’). But did you ever stop to think that the actual quality of these ingredients varies amongst wrap brands? Remember the old adage of “you get what you pay for”? Well, it applies to beeswax wraps too. So if you have skin allergies or sensitivities in your family, make sure you read on!
Dammar Resin and Pine Resin are both tree resins and serve the same purpose in a reusable beeswax wrap. They make sure it ‘sticks’. So whether you twist up your lemons, or fold over your sandwiches, or simply want to apply a protective covering to a bowl of leftovers, the wraps stay sealed around your food and don’t automatically want to fall off again.
Other than that, they are completely different. Waxiwraps only use Dammar Resin or, as we like to say, our wraps are 100% Pine Resin FREE…..for very good reasons:
- Dammar Resin is odourless whereas Pine Resin which can be quite pungent, and has been known to affect the perceived taste of the food.
- Dammar Resin is FDA-approved for use in the storage of food, as a glazing agent and as an additive in food. Pine Resin is not FDA approved, and has a lower rating for health issues.
- Some consumers can react to pine resin which have been associated with allergies and skin irritations. There are no known adverse reactions to Dammar Resin.
- Dammar Resin is a clearer coloured resin that requires minimal processing, which ensures that the colours of the fabric design stay true once it is immersed in the beeswax blend.
If you, or any of your family, have skin sensitivities, then stick to (pun intended) brands that use Dammar Resin. Make sure you check the ingredients listed on the packaging. If it simply says ‘tree resin’, the chances are it will be pine resin. Bear in mind that brands which use Dammar Resin are understandably proud of using this superior ingredient, so will be happy to list it.
The downside for consumers is that the higher quality of Dammar Resin is also reflected in the cost of the product. Wraps that use Dammar Resin are more expensive to make and, yes, you guessed it, probably slightly more expensive to buy.
With many things, you get what you pay for. If you are tempted to purchase wraps for yourself or as a gift, don’t be fooled into simply looking at ticket price alone. Ask yourself whether anyone using the wraps will possibly have allergies or reactions to either pine or its smell. If that is a possibility, find a brand that uses Dammar Resin.
Reusable beeswax wraps from Waxiwraps only use Dammar Resin. Our wraps are odourless, FDA approved for use on food, and are suited to families with skin sensitivities
