vark
Sign in to saveAlso known as silver leaf, edible silver foil, varak, German paper, German plastic, waraq, warq, varakh
Vark (also varak, Waraq, or warq) is a fine filigree foil sheet of pure metal, typically silver but sometimes gold, used to decorate Indian sweets and food. The silver and gold are edible, though flavorless. Vark is made by pounding silver into sheets less than one micrometre (μm) thick, typically 0.2–0.8 μm. The silver sheets are typically packed between layers of paper for support; this paper is peeled away before use. It is fragile and breaks into smaller pieces if handled with direct skin contact. Leaf that is 0.2 μm thick tends to stick to skin if handled directly.
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- Usage as food
- Vegetarian ethical issues
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Vark (also varak, Waraq, or warq) is a fine filigree foil sheet of pure metal, typically silver but sometimes gold, used to decorate Indian sweets and food. The silver and gold are edible, though flavorless. Vark is made by pounding silver into sheets less than one micrometre (μm) thick, typically 0.2–0.8 μm. The silver sheets are typically packed between layers of paper for support; this paper is peeled away before use. It is fragile and breaks into smaller pieces if handled with direct skin contact. Leaf that is 0.2 μm thick tends to stick to skin if handled directly.
Vark sheets are laid or rolled over some Indian sweets, confectionery, dry fruits and spices. It is also placed onto mounds of saffron rice on platters.