As a kid, I remember staring at a piece of kaju katli glittering with silver and asking my mother, “Mom, can I eat this silver?” She chuckled at my innocent curiosity, her eyes twinkling with amusement, and gently replied, “Yes, it’s completely safe.” That moment stayed with me, sparking a fascination not just for sweets but for the delicate silver and gold leaf vark that has adorned Indian mithai for centuries, carrying stories of tradition, craft, and celebration in every shimmer. 

There is something magnetic about stepping into an Indian sweet shop during festive seasons. Glass counters overflow with kaju katli, barfi, laddoos, and more, each delicately coated with silver or gold so fine it almost floats on air. At first glance, it seems purely decorative, but vark carries far deeper significance. It embodies centuries of history, medicine, faith, and craftsmanship. For many Indians, a sweet without its silvery shimmer feels incomplete, less festive, and somehow less regal.

Vark: A Tradition Rooted in History

Edible gold and silver leaf has been part of India’s food culture for over two millennia. Ancient Ayurvedic texts such as the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita mention silver and gold in edible forms—either as patra (leaf) or bhasma (ash)—for their restorative and antimicrobial properties. Gold has long been associated with vitality, strength, and luxury, while silver is connected with purification and cooling effects. Both metals were used in medicines, temple offerings, and royal feasts. 

Food historian Pushpesh Pant recalls, “During special occasions, we decorated food with gold vark while silver was more common in the paan my father enjoyed.” The word “vark” itself traces back to Sanskrit “varaka” and Persian “varaq,” both meaning “leaf” or “sheet.” 

The Art and Craft of Making Vark

Traditionally, creating vark was a painstaking, delicate craft. Artisans in cities like Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Delhi would hand-beat small pieces of silver or gold into whisper-thin sheets. Vark is created by repeatedly hammering pure silver between sheets of parchment or specially treated paper until it forms an ultra-thin foil. Traditionally, cow or ox hide was used, but modern techniques often use paper treated with food-grade calcium powder to keep the layers from sticking, making it suitable for vegetarians. The silver is beaten for several hours until it reaches a thickness of less than one micrometer.

Safety, Purity, and Modern Practices

Today, most vark is machine-made in hubs like Delhi, although a few traditional artisans continue to practice the craft in smaller pockets, preserving its age-old techniques. Strict food safety regulations ensure that edible silver and gold are non-toxic: the metals must be 99.9% pure, the foils free from harmful heavy metals such as nickel, lead, or copper, and only certified producers are legally allowed to manufacture and sell them. 

Modern food scientists confirm that, when produced correctly, edible silver and gold pass through the body without being absorbed, making them completely safe for consumption. However, with silver prices soaring, some sweet shops quietly resort to cheaper machine-made or aluminum substitutes, which may mimic the shimmer but lack the same authenticity and safety.

Vark as a Symbol of Celebration and Connection

More than decoration, vark carries emotional resonance. For many, seeing silver or gold on sweets evokes childhood memories, family gatherings, and festive celebrations. Each sheet is a reminder of care, love, and joy shared during special occasions. Whether it’s a Diwali tray of motichoor laddoos or kaju katli for a wedding, vark adds a sense of ritual and elegance. It’s also a connection to India’s cultural heritage, linking ancient Ayurveda, royal kitchens, and street-side halwais. The shimmer of vark is not just metal; it’s a tangible thread weaving history, science, and human sentiment together.

Why Indians Put Gold and Silver Vark on Sweets

Indians put gold and silver vark on sweets not just for decoration but for tradition, symbolism, and celebration. These delicate sheets of metal add a festive touch, making special occasions like Diwali, weddings, and religious ceremonies feel more luxurious and auspicious. Historically, edible gold and silver were believed to have health benefits in Ayurveda, with gold symbolizing vitality and strength and silver offering cooling and purifying effects. 

Beyond health, vark also represents wealth, prosperity, and respect, elevating ordinary sweets into something truly special. Today, while it continues to enhance the visual appeal, it also preserves cultural heritage and craftsmanship, connecting modern celebrations with centuries of Indian tradition. Today, the market for vark includes machine-made foils and cheaper substitutes, but authentic silver or gold vark remains treasured. It’s light enough to dissolve on touch, leaving no residue, yet rich with symbolism. This delicate leaf transforms an ordinary sweet into a festive treasure, a small but meaningful expression of culture, artistry, and human connection. Vark represents more than shine; it shows celebration, history, and continuity. In every shimmer, there’s a story of families, artisans, empires, and faith all merging on a simple sweet, shared across generations.