Oblaat

Oblaat

Type	Confectionery
Place of origin	Japan
Main ingredients	Starch

Oblate discs, or Blate Papes, from the USA

In Japan, oblaat (Japanese: オブラート, oburāto) is a thin, edible layer of starch used to wrap some candies and pharmaceuticals, similar to capsules.

Description

Many types of dagashi Japanese candy are wrapped in oblaat, which is an edible, thin cellophane made of rice starch. It has no taste nor odor, and is transparent. It is useful to preserve gelatinous sweets by absorbing humidity. In America, these films are called oblate discs, blate papes, and edible films. They're most commonly used to take powdered herbs, supplements, and medications, allowing the user to consume multiple grams at one time more quickly and pleasantly than with capsules or other methods.

Etymology

The name comes from the Dutch word "oblaat".

History

Oblaat was introduced to Japan by Dutch pharmaceutical companies in the late 19th century to wrap bad tasting medicine so that it could be swallowed without tasting any bitter powder. However, Dagashi candy isn't wrapped in oblaat because it tastes bad; it's wrapped in oblaat to keep the pieces of candy from sticking together.

See also

• Capsule (pharmacy)
• Blate Papes (Edible Films)
• Confectionery
• Dagashi
• Botan Rice Candy
• White Rabbit (candy)
• Bánh đa nem (Northern Vietnamese rice paper)
• List of Japanese foods