September 23rd, 2005
I have cleared up the backlog of email queries from my .kitchen. mail box, I am sorry if the delay in replying in recent days has inconvenienced some of you.
I have a question for you all: Is edible Silver Leaf/Chandi Varak suitable for vegetarians?
The issue of Leaf/Chandi Varak being vegetarian or not, is quite interesting and relevant to most vegetarians, specially Hindus. We Indians have a sweet tooth, as have our Gods! Sweets are used extensively in prayers, offered in temples and eaten as desserts and snacks in all Indian homes. Most shop bought sweets are covered with a thin layer of silver leaf, not only to enhance their look, but also because silver is supposed to have medicinal properties.
It is said that silver leaves are traditionally made by beating small blocks of silver between 2 layers of the cattle intestines, until each block becomes paper thin. The reason intestines are used is because they are elastic and do not tear during intense beating.
The question is whether they are still made this way, using the intestines of cattle? Are the vegetarians eating silver leaves without realising that it is not .pure. vegetarian? Does anyone know for sure what the truth is? Who has a definitive answer? If you have any information on the subject, other than what is available on the internet already, do join in the discussion on the Forum.
Mamta