Vark
Vark (also varak Waraq or warq) is a fine filigree foil sheet of pure metal, typically silver but sometimes gold, used to decorate South Asian 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.
Indian barfi sweets garnished with vark | |
| Alternative names | Varq, Varaq, vark, varak, varakh, varakha, etc. |
|---|---|
| Type | Garnish |
| Place of origin | Indian Subcontinent |
| Region or state | South Asia |
| Main ingredients | Silver, Gold |
Vark sheets are laid or rolled over some South Asian sweets, confectionery, dry fruits and spices. It is also placed onto mounds of saffron rice on platters.
For safety and ethical reasons, the government of India has issued food safety and product standards guidelines for manufacturers of silver foil.