200g block of wax

This beeswax block comes from La Ruche Martin, the farm of Julien Martin, a beekeeper in Montierchaume, in the Indre. The label lists a single ingredient, beeswax, harvested in France. The 200 g block, a bright yellow, comes wrapped in film. Julien Martin set up in 2016, following two generations of beekeepers in the Berry, and the farm belongs to the Bienvenue à la ferme network, whose logo appears on the label.

In pastry work, beeswax is used above all for cannelés. Melt it in a bain-marie with butter, coat the warm moulds with the mixture, then turn them upside down so the excess runs out. Only a very thin film stays behind: in the oven it gives the cannelé its dark, glossy, crackly crust and helps it turn out cleanly. Copper moulds suit this method best, and the coating is redone before each batch. A 200 g block lasts for many batches, since you only grate or cut off what you need.

Beeswax keeps for a long time at room temperature, away from heat and wrapped so it does not pick up dust or smells. You will also find it in our shop, 58 rue Tiquetonne, Paris.