Does Varq Really Add A Silver Lining To The Indian Cuisine?

A silver lining always makes the difference be in it in our life’s or even in our sweets. The famous kaju katli dressed in varq or silver parat makes all the difference to the sweet. Use of edible silver garnish, also known as varq, on sweets has a long history in Indian cuisine. It is believed to have originated in the Mughal era and is commonly used in Indian sweets and desserts as a decorative element. It was initially used as a way to showcase the wealth and opulence of the Mughal rulers. Over time, it became a common decorative element used in a variety of Indian sweets, including barfi. 

Chef Nishant Choubey adds “Warq hai to fakr nahi hai , the silver lining made into the indian cuisine through Paan !! It is not only prized for it’s beauty and glamour the Persian tradition of guiding the silver lining with the introduction to the sub-continent , it is evident that the art of theatrics dishes like parinda biryani with the art of warq was perfected in the decadent delicacies of the Mughals with kingdom from Rampur to Lucknow to Hyderabad !  It was considered as a typical showcase to woo the traders and to impress the Riyayat” and yes standing true to the Riwayat “chandi ka warq" is often referred as "silver foil," surely has its own takers. 

Varq that is traditionally made by hammering silver into thin sheets, which are then cut into small pieces and layered over the sweet is just not prized for its beauty. Ayurvedic texts recommends the use of Varq medicinal and purifying reasons. In modern times, the silver sheets are often backed with a layer of edible paper to make them easier to handle and to prevent any potential health risks associated with direct consumption of silver. Podcaster and Chef Sadaf Hussain says “Edible silver foil or Gold Foil, also called Vark, is used in Indian subcontinents mostly to decorate both sweet and savory dishes. However, In modern times, you might find them in fusion food, restaurants providing you with an experience, or restaurants with lots of good gimmicks”. 

Adding to the fancy frill of the dish it was the Mughals who had their kingdoms from Hyderabad to Lucknow to Rampur incorporated this art of adding foil to their rich and royal dishes. Till date in Jaipur there is this locality called Mohalla Pannigaran (‘the one who makes foil (panni) where the whole community is into the business of making silver and gold foil. Adding more to the Royal context Executive Chef , Oberoi Hotels & Resorts-Trident Gurgaon, Arun Mathur says “Varq has evolved itself from. Royal to Normal people, Royal palaces to sweet shops ,Pan shops, earlier from Kebabs to now biryanis to Raan, It has become symbolic to the Royalness of the Dish and occupied place in the heart of common man. Its versatility makes it ingredient, medicine, garnish or the premium charged for the dish”.  

While it is actually made of super-thin aluminum foil coated with a layer of silver, the thickness is typically of 0.2 µm-0.8 µm thickness. Commonly used as a decorative garnish on sweets imparting a traditional and luxurious touch it is considered safe for consumption in small amounts.

But what about taste, to which Sadaf adds “Warq has no work in enhancing or changing the taste of the food but it works on lifting the aesthetic feels and price of a dish”. While this craft dates back nearly 1000 years or more, the craftsmen are mostly from the Muslim community. Known as ‘Varqsaaz’ the communities at Pannigarans of Jaipur are facing hard times. 

But let’s just have the hope that just like they add a silver lining in the sweets, their life to gets one.