Varq

Summarized from: https://www.cntraveller.in/story/why-india-covers-its-mithai-in-silver-and-gold/

1. The text describes the traditional craft of making “varq” (edible silver and gold leaf) in Hyderabad’s Old City, highlighting the sensory experience of finding a workshop through the rhythmic hammering sound.
2. Varq, used as an edible decoration for sweets and other dishes, has a long history in India, with mentions in ancient Ayurvedic texts for its medicinal properties and later refined in Mughal courts as a symbol of luxury and status.
3. Historically, varq was made by hand-beating silver between sheets of ox gut or cowhide, a meticulous process passed down through generations of artisans.
4. Despite rising silver prices leading some sweet shops to use cheaper machine-made or aluminum substitutes, the tradition of hand-beaten varq persists, with a few remaining artisans preserving this delicate art.
5. The term “varq” itself has Sanskrit and Persian origins, both meaning “leaf” or “sheet,” reflecting its ancient roots and cultural significance across different eras in India.