 Colored wafer paper | |
| Alternative names |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Ingredient |
| Place of origin | Western Europe |
| Main ingredients | Starch (potato or rice) |
| Variations | Oburāto |
| Similar dishes | |
Wafer paper, also called edible paper or rice paper, is a very thin, edible sheet used in baking, confectionery and pharmaceuticals.
Wafer paper evolved from the production of wafers. Called oblaten in Germany, it was used as an edible non-stick baking paper, particularly for lebkuchen . [1]
Wafer paper is made of thinly rolled and baked starch, such as potato or rice. [2]
Wafer paper is used as an edible wrapper for sticky confectionery like nougat. [3] [4] Some candies are made largely out of wafer paper, such as flying saucers.
Wafer paper is also valued as an edible decoration: it can be made into flowers, edible fabric and other shapes, while being light. [5] [6] [7] [8]
Wafer paper is a favored material for edible printing.
Wafer paper can be used as an aid in taking medicine, providing a barrier to tasting what is wrapped inside without inhibiting digestion. [9] It can also used in taking recreational drugs, which is called a 'parachute'.
Oburāto (オブラート, loanword from Dutch oblaat 'wafer paper') is a particularly thin and transparent wafer paper, made of rice starch. [10] It was inspired by Dutch wafer paper, introduced to Japan in the Edo era. [11]
Oburāto is used to wrap sticky candies like dagashi – particularly Botan Rice Candy and White Rabbit candy.
