It's a wrap battle - New reusable Bee's Wrap lands in NZ
Wrap rage – it’s a term coined to describe the levels of frustration that come from attempting to open impenetrable packaging.
It is equally applicable to the levels of fury evoked at the moment when your plastic wrap fails to tear properly and sticks irritatingly to your hand rendering it entirely unfit for purpose.
But plastic wrap rage could be a thing of the past with a new solution to the kitchen nightmare.
Bee’s Wrap is a reusable beeswax-and-cloth alternative to plastic wrap. Bee’s Wrap is made using organic cotton muslin, beeswax, jojoba oil and tree resin where the combination of ingredients creates a malleable food wrap that can be used on multiple occasions.
Bee’s Wrap enables food to breathe, which improves flavour, slows down the rate of decomposition and leads to less food waste.
Plastic wrap is energy intensive to produce and designed to be used just once. Discarded plastic wrap also never completely disappears. Over time it eventually breaks down into molecules of plastic that remain in the environment forever. These tiny pellets are eaten by fish and sea creatures and often wash up on beaches as plastic ‘sand’ finding their way in to the food chain.
Beeswax is one of nature’s natural preservatives and has been used for centuries to seal preserved foods. Beeswax also has anti-fungal, antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties.
To use, simply wrap over the top of a dish, using the warmth and pressure of your hands to create a seal. When the Bee's Wrap cools (within seconds) it holds its seal. Use the same method to wrap cheese, vegetables and fruit, bread and baked goods.
Bee’s Wrap creator and mother of three Sarah Kaeck lives with her family on a working farm in northern Vermont in the United States. She had become concerned about the environmental and health impact of using plastic to wrap the good food they were growing and making.
Kaeck discovered an old-fashioned method of infusing cotton muslin with the natural preservatives beeswax and jojoba (a shrub whose seeds produce an oil) to create the perfect alternative to plastic for storing food.
Catherine Bell, owner of New Zealand-based Epicure Trading, discovered the product on a research trip to the International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago.
“I frequently get frustrated at the lack of sustainable food wrapping solutions. I’m no stranger to the levels of rage induced by plastic wrap which is tricky to use and not good for the environment,” Bell says
“The fact that it’s reusable also makes it much more cost efficient too so it’s a win-win in my view.”
Bee’s Wrap is available in a variety of sizes priced from $10.95 and available from all good cookware and gourmet stores. See www.epicuretrading.co.nz for stockists.
Notes:
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS
Cheese: Remove cheese from the packaging it came in and wrap it in an appropriately sized wrap.
Cut fruits and vegetables: Form Bee’s Wrap around the cut side of avocados, cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, onions and pretty much any fruit or vegetable you need to keep. Pineapple however can cause the wrap to break down so is best stored in a dish topped with a wrap.
Bread and bread dough: Wrapping fresh bread in Bee’s Wrap will keep it fresh for longer. Bee’s Wrap is insulating and breathable so it is a perfect cover for rising bread dough. It is also suitable for covering fermenting foods such as yoghurt or butter milk.
Liquids: The coating is fluid resistant, so moisture will not leak through the actual fabric. Sauce may stain.
Meat: Place leftover meat and raw meat in a dish, cover and store in the refrigerator. We suggest avoiding direct contact with raw meat. It’s great for cured meats such as salami.
Frozen food: Bee’s Wrap can be used to wrap or cover frozen foods for up to a month.
CARE
With proper care, you can expect each Bee’s Wrap to last more than a year.
Hand-wash in COLD water and eco-friendly dish soap (avoid any containing alcohol as this can dissolve the beeswax and tree resin. Wash it like a plate not a cloth. Do not wring but dry gently with a tea towel before storing – rolled or folded.
Stains and creases are normal.
Bee’s Wrap is not suitable for the dishwasher, microwave oven, direct heat or high temperatures as the beeswax will melt. Allow food to cool slightly before covering and avoid placing hot food directly on your wrap. Keep away from all sources of heat and open flame.
We don’t recommend you cut Bee’s Wrap as the edges may fray. If this occurs trim with scissors.
NB: Bee’s Wrap sticks to itself not the product it is covering so will not provide a leak-proof seal.
About Epicure Trading
Epicure Trading imports and distributes a carefully selected range of high quality products for cooking, serving and dining. Its products are generally not commonly or readily available and Epicure is renowned for seeking out new and different kitchen-related products. The business was established in 2003 by Catherine Bell and is a leader in the area of eco-friendly single-use tableware and traditional Spanish cookware, supplying the hospitality industry and retail stores. With warehouses in Sydney and Auckland it is the Australian and New Zealand distributor for several leading brands.