Uses

Pure edible silver foils silver have traditionally been a very popular material for the decorations of special-occasion desserts, confectioneries, nuts and many other dishes. Apart from being a food decorative, silver leaves are also attributed for their medicinal properties. The different uses of silver leaves are as follows:

Culinary Uses
Indian silver foil has been used for centuries to garnish and embellish several food items, especially sweets and desserts. Various mouth fresheners and spices such as cut, sliced and sweetened areca nut and dried dates, aniseed, green cardamom and chewing tobacco are wrapped in the silver leaves to add a royal touch to the reception of guests. It is also used in some of the special mughlai cuisine, which at times are literally covered in silver foil.

Confectionery and Beverages
Silver leaves are widely used in bakeries and confectioneries for icing food like cakes, ice creams, chocolates, cookies etc. It is also used in flavoured drinks and beverages.

Medicines
Since antiquity, silver is considered to be a good digestive and finds application in ayurvedic and homeopathic medicines, particularly in traditional Chinese and Indian medicinal systems. Silver is believed to strengthen brain and heart. Besides this, it helps relieve mental strain and achieve perfect balance between mind & body. Silver leaves are also used as an amalgam in arresting tooth decay.

Health and Beauty Products
Silver has traditionally been considered to be a major ingredient in health care and beauty products. While, it is used in ayurvedic & herbal products like chyawanprash, it is also used in cosmetics and some other beauty products.

Religious and Other Ceremonies
Silver is considered to have religious significance and is used on auspicious occasions. It is used in temples on idols and is also part of the major offerings in religious ceremonies.

The silver-topped sweet is served as prasad in temples on different religious occasions and ceremonies. Silver Leaves are also used to decorate fruits and dry fruits, particularly in marriage ceremonies and as gifts on special occasions, particularly on Diwali, “The festival of light.” Symbolizing purity and divinity, the silver leaves can also be seen on wedding and invitation cards. People of Indian origin, who are settled abroad, extensively use it.

Silver is considered to have religious significance and is used on auspicious occasions. In Jain temples, it is used on idols and is also part of the major offerings in religious ceremonies.

Silver foil is made from 99.9% pure silver. In addition, the food grade silver sheets must be free from toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury etc. And there has been a set of international guidelines on the basis of which, the quality of silver foil is decided.

Quality Parameters:

• A high grade Indian silver foil should be prepared under the most hygienic conditions and should be free from any type of contamination
• Carefully wrapped to prevent tarnishing (which is more likely to be toxic than the silver itself)
• Foil is of uniform thickness
• The permissible limit of co-metals is 1000 - 5000 ppm.
• Checked for presence of toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and the total heavy metal content
• Meets the purity standards as per Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act of India and FDA (USA)

The silver leaves available in the market may contain toxic and carcinogenic metals. So, always choose from quality silver foil that strictly adheres to the FDA Guidelines for edibility. Some of the factors one should keep in mind while purchasing silver leaves are:

• Thin and lustrous
• Brittle
• No aroma or taste
• Contains 99.9% pure silver and have no traces of toxic or heavy metals Packed in fresh papers
• Packed in fresh papers