Pharmaceutical glaze is an
alcohol-based solution of various types of food-grade
shellac. The shellac is derived from the raw material
sticklac, which is a resin scraped from the branches of trees left from when the small insect,
Kerria lacca (also known as
Laccifer lacca), creates a hard, waterproof cocoon. When used in food and
confections, it is also known as
confectioner's glaze,
resinous glaze,
pure food glaze,
natural glaze, or
confectioner's resin.