Metalic Foil on Indian Sweets
I want to make some authentic Indian sweets, but I have questions about the silver foil that is found on some of them. First of all, I can't seem to find it (in the United States); the closest I get is edible gold leaf. I suppose I could leave it off, but I was wondering if there was an "authentic" substitute.
Best Answer
Cake decorating stores should have food grade edible foils, both silver and gold. These are specialty items that you are unlikely to find locally, and may have to order from online distributors.
Surprisingly, even Amazon has a listing for silver leaf. You will find other sources if you google.
Pictures about "Metalic Foil on Indian Sweets"
Quick Answer about "Metalic Foil on Indian Sweets"
Vark (also varak or warq) is a fine filigree foil sheet of pure metal, typically silver but sometimes gold, used to decorate South Asian sweets and food. The silver and gold are edible, though flavorless. Varak is made by pounding silver into sheets less than one micrometre (?m) thick, typically 0.2 ?m-0.8 ?m.Is it safe to eat sweets coated with silver foil?
Sweets that seem to be coated with silver foil could be adulterated with aluminum. This dangerous metal accumulates within the body tissues and also causes severe damage by entering the brain. If consumed by a pregnant woman, aluminum can harm the placenta and fetus. Always buy sweets from a reliable source.Why do people put sweets in silver foil?
Apart from making sweets and paan look grand, opulent and rich, silver leaf is used for another very important reason on other food items. Well, it has anti-bacterial properties that helps in increasing the shelf life of food products.Why does Kaju Katli have silver foil on it?
Most often seen on kaju barfis, this coating is traditionally made by hammering a silver sheet, as thin as possible. This silver leaf not only enhances the look of the mithai but also has anti-microbial properties and can increase the shelf life of food products.What metal is used for silver foil over sweets?
(i) Silver foils are used for decorating sweets. It is because of its high malleability, silver metal can be hammered into thin silver sheets.Is It Safe To Eat The Silver Foil On Sweets? (Probably Not!) || Myths Debunked || Nixapian
More answers regarding metalic Foil on Indian Sweets
Answer 2
The edible silver leaf only adds to the aesthetic aspect of the sweet and nothing else. I am an Indian, when we make sweets at home, we do not use silver leaves. Its only the ones we buy from bakery that have them
Answer 3
This is a tough one to find. If the edible silver leaf isn't too thick it may work. Otherwise, you would have to find an importer who supplies varakh, the name of the authentic silver foil. Depending on your preference, you may however be better off with edible silver leaf since varakh is not vegetarian or vegan. It is pounded thin between animal hides or intestines. Out of curiosity, I checked our massive Indian grocery and varakh isn't sold as an individual ingredient. More and more of my Indian friends will only purchase sweets like kaju katli without the varakh due to their religious and dietary preferences. I personally don't taste a difference without the silver but I do see it for more auspicious occasions like births and weddings. Best of luck and if you do find the real deal, please let us know.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Yan Krukov, Ekrulila, Engin Akyurt, Francesco Paggiaro