Edible paper is safe to consume and usually made from rice or starches. It is commonly used in cake decorating and wrapping sticky foods. It can also be used for novelty crafts and even edible menus in restaurants.
Edible paper is paper that can be safely consumed by people. As a general rule, it has a neutral flavor and texture and is usually designed to melt upon contact with moisture. There are numerous variations of the basic edible paper concept, including flavored versions and varieties with more texture. Kitchen supply stores usually stock this product, and people can even make their own with the right equipment.
Technically speaking, most paper products are edible, as people will not have health problems from consuming them, but conventional paper is not much fun or easy to eat, because it has a high cellulose content and is designed to last. Edible paper is classically made from rice and other starches, and the texture is much softer and more forgiving. While it might not be terribly exciting or fun to eat, it presents far less of a challenge than something like newspaper.
Most commonly, people use edible paper in cake decorating. They can print or paint a design onto the paper with edible ink and then apply it to a cake. The moisture from the icing dissolves the paper, causing the image to sink into the icing as if it were printed on cake. Commercial cake applications that home cooks can use to decorate their cakes are based on the same principle.
Other types of edible paper are designed for wrapping sticky foods so they don’t make a mess before being eaten. This practice is especially common in Asia, where edible papers are used to wrap candies and confections. People can peel off the paper or eat it together with candy. This type of edible paper tends to be a bit tougher, as it needs to be able to withstand moisture, but the heat and humidity from your mouth usually cause it to break down very quickly.
People can also use this kind of paper as a novelty product. Edible origami, edible paper flowers and a variety of other craft projects can be made from paper that is safe to eat and decorated with food safe inks and dyes. Edible menus are another cool way to use edible paper; restaurants that like to use sharp or quirky devices to intrigue customers can offer their menus on edible papers, and in these cases the paper or ink can be flavored to add to the experience.
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