A Classic Example: Botan Rice Candy
One of the most famous answers to the question, "What candy has an edible wrapper?" is the classic Japanese confection, Botan Rice Candy. This chewy, citrus-flavored candy has been a beloved treat since its invention in 1924. What makes it so unique is the thin, transparent inner wrapper that envelops each piece of candy. This wrapper, known as oblaat, is made from rice starch and is completely safe to eat.
When you place a piece of Botan Rice Candy in your mouth, the oblaat wrapper dissolves in seconds, melting away to reveal the sweet, chewy center. It is a traditional and fun element of the candy, meant to be consumed along with the treat, saving you the hassle of unwrapping a sticky confection. The primary function of the wrapper is to prevent the candies from sticking together, a particularly useful property in Japan's humid climate.
Edible Wrappers Beyond Japan: Traditional Nougat
Another prominent example of a candy with an edible wrapper is traditional nougat. Many varieties of nougat, especially those made by traditional artisans, come with a wafer paper base that is meant to be eaten. This wafer paper is made from a blend of potato starch, water, and olive oil.
The purpose of the wafer paper on nougat is functional: it prevents the soft, sticky confection from adhering to surfaces and makes it easier to handle. The paper has a neutral flavor and a texture that quickly softens and blends in as you chew. It's a key part of the nougat experience, distinguishing it from candies that require a separate, non-edible paper to be removed.
More Candies with Edible Packaging
The world of confectionery includes other treats that employ edible wrappers or films, often for similar purposes of preventing stickiness and enhancing the consumption experience.
Japanese Mocchi Candies
Japanese sweets brand Seika Foods offers a range of soft, chewy candies known as mocchi, which often feature edible wrappers. For example, Choco Mochi and Peach Mocchi are bite-sized treats wrapped in either a starch or an edible film. These wrappers serve the same purpose as oblaat, providing a mess-free way to enjoy the soft, sticky texture of the mochi.
Bontan Ame and Hyoroku Mochi
Botan Rice Candy is actually a specific brand of a broader category of Japanese sweets called bontan ame. Several other brands produce similar candies with oblaat wrappers, such as Hyoroku Mochi, which is known for its matcha flavor and chewy texture. These are often found in dagashi shops, which sell inexpensive sweets to schoolchildren in Japan.
Edible Paper for Homemade Candies
For home bakers and confectioners, edible rice paper and wafer paper are available for wrapping homemade candies, nougats, and taffies. These sheets allow enthusiasts to replicate the traditional packaging of these unique treats in their own kitchens.
What Are Edible Wrappers Made Of?
The materials used for edible candy wrappers vary but are generally made from plant-based starches. The two most common types are oblaat and wafer paper.
Oblaat (Rice Paper)
- Composition: Made from rice starch.
- Appearance: Thin, clear, and plastic-like when dry.
- Properties: Tasteless, odorless, and dissolves quickly when it comes into contact with moisture.
- Origin: Introduced to Japan by Dutch pharmacists in the late 19th century to wrap bitter medicines before being adopted by candy makers.
Wafer Paper
- Composition: Typically made from potato starch, water, and oil.
- Appearance: Can range from very thin and translucent to thicker, card-like versions.
- Properties: Neutral in flavor and softens upon contact with moisture. Does not dissolve as rapidly as oblaat.
- Use: Often used as a base for confections like nougat to prevent sticking.
The Function of Edible Packaging
Edible wrappers are not merely a novelty; they serve several practical purposes:
- Preventing Stickiness: This is the most crucial function, especially for soft, chewy confections that would otherwise stick to their conventional packaging or to other candies.
- Convenience: By eliminating the need to unwrap a separate paper layer, the consumer can enjoy the candy directly and without creating any waste.
- Moisture Protection: Some edible films can help prevent moisture loss or, conversely, protect the candy from humidity in the environment.
- Sustainability: The use of edible, biodegradable wrappers is a form of green packaging that helps reduce plastic waste.
Comparison of Common Edible Wrappers
| Feature | Oblaat (Rice Paper) | Wafer Paper | Seika Mocchi Film | Traditional Nougat Paper | Edible Ink Paper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Ingredient | Rice starch | Potato starch, water, oil | Starch | Potato starch | Starch-based |
| Texture | Clear, thin, plastic-like when dry; dissolves rapidly | Thicker, can be stiffer; softens when wet | Soft, chewy, film-like | Sturdy base; softens when chewed | Smooth, thin sheet |
| Common Use | Individually wrapped candies (e.g., Botan Rice Candy) | Base for nougat, cake decorations | Wrapping soft, chewy mochi candies | Base for nougat, prevents stickiness | Printing edible images for cakes |
| Origin | Japan (adopted from European pharmacy) | Europe (church host similarity) | Japan | European tradition | Modern technology |
Conclusion
From the uniquely dissolving rice paper of Japanese candies to the functional wafer paper base of traditional nougat, edible wrappers offer a surprising and delightful twist on how we consume sweets. These innovative and often-traditional forms of packaging not only solve practical problems like stickiness but also contribute to a memorable culinary experience. The next time you find yourself with a piece of candy wrapped in a transparent or starch-like paper, remember that it's likely safe—and intended—to be a part of the treat itself.
To learn more about the history and function of edible rice paper wrappers, you can read more from Kokoro Care: Oblaat: Japan’s Edible Candy Wrappers.
What candy has an edible wrapper?: A Quick Rundown
- Botan Rice Candy: A Japanese citrus candy wrapped in edible rice paper, or oblaat, that dissolves in your mouth.
- Traditional Nougat: Many nougats use a wafer paper base made from potato starch, water, and oil to prevent the sticky candy from adhering.
- Japanese Mocchi Candies: Soft, chewy mochi-style candies from brands like Seika Foods often use a starch-based edible film.
- Oblaat (Rice Paper): This transparent, tasteless, and odorless wrapper is made from rice starch and is a traditional material in Japan.
- Wafer Paper (Potato Starch): Used for nougat and cake decorations, this wrapper is also edible and softens with moisture.
- Functionality is Key: The primary purpose of these wrappers is to prevent sticky confections from adhering to their outer packaging and to other candies.
- Beyond Candy: Edible films are part of a larger trend in sustainable and green food packaging, replacing plastics with biodegradable, safe alternatives.
FAQs
Question: Can you eat the paper on Botan Rice Candy? Answer: Yes, the thin, clear rice paper wrapper on Botan Rice Candy is completely edible and designed to dissolve quickly in your mouth as you chew.
Question: What is the edible wrapper on nougat made of? Answer: The edible paper on traditional nougat is called wafer paper, and it is typically made from a combination of potato starch, water, and oil.
Question: What does edible rice paper taste like? Answer: Edible rice paper (oblaat) is designed to be tasteless and odorless, so it does not alter the flavor of the candy it wraps.
Question: Are all types of candy wrappers edible? Answer: No, only specific confections with explicitly edible packaging, like Botan Rice Candy and some nougats, have wrappers safe for consumption. Most wrappers are plastic or foil and should not be eaten.
Question: Why did Japanese candy makers start using oblaat? Answer: Candymakers began using oblaat in the 1920s to prevent candies from sticking together, a practical solution particularly useful in Japan's humid climate.
Question: How should you eat a candy with an edible wrapper? Answer: You simply pop the entire piece of candy, wrapper and all, into your mouth. The wrapper will dissolve quickly as you begin to chew, and the overall effect is seamless.
Question: What other types of edible packaging exist? Answer: Beyond candy, edible films are being explored for broader food packaging applications, using materials like proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids to create biodegradable, sustainable alternatives for various food products.
Question: Does the edible paper used for candy melt in hot conditions? Answer: Wafer paper and other starch-based edible films can be sensitive to heat and moisture. Wafer paper, for instance, may melt if it comes into contact with very wet or hot products.
Question: Is an icing sheet, used for cake decoration, the same as a candy wrapper? Answer: No, while both are edible, icing sheets are a different product. They are thin sheets of icing on a backing designed for printing images, while edible wrappers are functional pieces of packaging meant to dissolve seamlessly with the candy.
