Should You Spit Out Beeswax? Your Complete Guide to Eating Honeycomb

December 3, 2025 •

3 min read

Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees to construct honeycomb cells. While many chew beeswax to release the delicious honey, the question of whether you should spit out beeswax is a common one that depends on personal preference and how much is consumed.

Quick Summary

Beeswax is an edible but largely indigestible substance, so while swallowing small amounts is harmless, it is often chewed like gum to extract honey before being discarded due to its waxy texture.

Key Points

Edible and Non-Toxic: Beeswax is safe to eat in small amounts, as classified by food safety authorities.
Not Digestible: The human body cannot break down beeswax, so it passes through the digestive system without providing any nutrition.
Chew or Swallow: You can chew honeycomb to extract the honey and spit out the wax, or swallow the wax along with the honey—both are safe options.
Moderation is Key: Excessive consumption of beeswax can lead to digestive discomfort due to its indigestible nature.
Choose Food-Grade: Ensure any beeswax you consume, especially in its raw form, comes from a reputable source to avoid potential contaminants.
Potential for Allergic Reactions: Individuals with allergies to bee products like pollen should be cautious when consuming beeswax.

Is Beeswax Safe to Eat?

For most people, yes, beeswax is completely safe to eat in small, moderate quantities. It is officially recognized as a food-grade substance by regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is even used as a food additive (E901) for glazing fruits, confections, and cheeses. When you eat honeycomb, the beeswax is naturally consumed alongside the raw honey, pollen, and propolis it contains. The primary difference between eating beeswax and other food is that your body cannot fully break it down. Instead of being digested for nutritional value, it passes through your system largely intact.

The Indigestible Nature of Beeswax

Beeswax is composed of long-chain fatty acids and complex alcohols, which humans lack the necessary enzymes to digest effectively. This is why it is considered to have negligible nutritional value, unlike the honey it holds. This indigestible quality is the main reason why many people choose to spit out beeswax after chewing it like gum, simply because the waxy texture is unpleasant. For those who swallow it, it can act as a form of dietary fiber, adding bulk that can aid in digestion by helping to move food through the gastrointestinal tract.

Honeycomb: Chewing vs. Swallowing

The choice to chew and spit out or simply swallow the beeswax in honeycomb is a matter of personal preference. Many enjoy the entire experience of biting into a piece of fresh honeycomb, releasing the burst of raw, unprocessed honey, and then continuing to chew the wax as one would a piece of chewing gum. Some will chew until the honey is fully extracted and then discard the remaining wax. Others have no issue swallowing the entire piece. Neither approach is inherently better or worse, so long as the beeswax is food-grade and consumed in moderation.

Potential Risks and Considerations

While safe in small amounts, there are some risks to be aware of, especially with excessive consumption or low-quality wax. First, consuming a very large quantity of beeswax can cause digestive discomfort, including stomach cramps or diarrhea, due to its indigestible nature. For young children or individuals with swallowing difficulties, the chewy texture could also pose a choking hazard. Most importantly, allergic reactions are a rare but possible risk for those with sensitivities to pollen or other bee products. Symptoms might include itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

Second, the purity of the beeswax is crucial. Food-grade beeswax is processed to be safe for consumption, but not all beeswax is created equal. Commercial beeswax used in candles or polishes may be contaminated with chemical residues like pesticides or other additives, which can be harmful if ingested. Always source your beeswax or honeycomb from a reputable supplier or beekeeper to ensure it is pure and food-grade.

What About Food-Grade Beeswax Used in Products?

Many common food products contain beeswax as a safe food additive, including:

Glazing agent: Providing a glossy coating on candies, gummies, and pastries.
Protective coating: Applied to some cheeses and fruits to lock in moisture and extend shelf life.
Chewing gum base: Offering a natural alternative to synthetic ingredients.
Thickener: Used in various food products to achieve a desired consistency.

Common Edible Waxes Comparison


Wax Type	Source	Edibility/Digestibility	Common Food Use	Notes
Beeswax	Honeybees	Edible, Indigestible	Glazing agent (E901), chewing gum base, honeycomb	Adds texture, negligible nutritional value.
Paraffin Wax	Petroleum	Non-edible	Not used in food-grade applications	Can be harmful if ingested in large amounts.
Carnauba Wax	Carnauba Palm	Edible, Indigestible	Glazing agent (E904), coating for candies	Often used in conjunction with beeswax for gloss.

Conclusion: Making Your Decision

When deciding whether to spit out beeswax, the choice comes down to texture preference rather than safety concerns, provided the source is reputable and it's consumed in moderation. It is safe to chew it like gum to savor the honey and then discard the wax, or you can simply swallow it. Small quantities of beeswax are harmless and will pass through your digestive system without being broken down, and may even offer minor digestive support. However, for those with allergies or anyone considering large quantities, it is always best to be cautious. Ultimately, the unique pleasure of eating honeycomb is in the enjoyment of both the sweet, raw honey and its earthy, waxy packaging. For further details on food additive safety, refer to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines on food-grade substances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beeswax is generally tasteless but may carry a subtle, mild, waxy flavor with slight hints of honey and pollen, depending on its purity and source.

Swallowing small amounts of food-grade beeswax is not harmful. It is non-toxic and will simply pass through your digestive system undigested.

While generally safe in small amounts, beeswax presents a potential choking hazard for young children due to its chewy, dense texture. Supervision is recommended.

Eating an excessive amount of beeswax can lead to digestive issues like stomach cramps, blockages, or diarrhea, as it is not easily processed by the body.

Many people spit out the beeswax because they dislike the chewy, waxy texture after extracting the honey. The indigestible nature of the wax makes it unappealing for some to swallow.

For small quantities, beeswax can be separated from honey by crushing the honeycomb and straining the mixture through a sieve or cheesecloth. Larger operations use a centrifuge or specialized melters.

The beeswax used in chewing gum is often highly refined and purified to meet food-grade standards, but it is the same substance found naturally in honeycomb.

Since beeswax is not digestible, it offers no significant nutritional benefits. However, some believe its fibrous nature may aid in digestion by acting as a form of roughage.