Parchment Paper Vs. Waxed Paper

Parchment Paper

• Parchment paper is used by serious chefs and homemakers alike to line baking pans, eliminating the need for greasing. The paper itself has existed for centuries, and for cooking purposes, it is pressed into sheets that go through a sulfuric acid bath. The paper is then rinsed and passes through a machine that reorganizes its fibers to give it more strength. A final coating of silicone is applied, which gives the paper its non-stick capabilities. Available bleached or unbleached, parchment paper withstands cooking temperatures up to roughly 425 degrees Fahrenheit, and is environmentally friendly.

Waxed Paper

• Invented in the late 1800s by Vermont businessman John Edward Babbitt, waxed paper is used for wrapping foods, covering kitchen work surfaces and lining baking pans. While it can be used to line pans containing batter, the wax can melt if the paper is used to line cookie sheets and other pans where the food doesn't completely cover the paper. Waxed paper is most commonly packaged as rolls, and it is also available as individual sandwich bags. As opposed to plastic wrap and bags, waxed paper products break down readily at landfills and recycling plants, minimizing their impact on the environment.

Features

• A popular use for parchment paper is called cooking en papillote, which translates into "cooking in a pouch." Individual portions of main course items, such as fish or poultry, are placed on a sheet of parchment, to which other ingredients, such as herbs, flavorings and vegetables, are added. The packets are then folded over, sealed and placed in the oven, where they puff up with steam released during the baking process. This type of food preparation is not possible with waxed paper, as it cannot withstand the high direct heat of an oven.

Considerations

• Parchment paper and waxed paper can both be used for certain tasks, including lining containers for storing baked goods or other foods. Sheets of wax paper can be crumpled up and placed between cookies for shipping. You can use either to catch sifted baking ingredients and, using the sheet as a funnel, deliver ingredients to a mixing bowl. Like wax paper, parchment paper is sold in rolls, but it also available as individual sheets to fit either square or round pans. Parchment paper is more expensive than wax paper.