If you bake a lot, you must have heard of different greaseproof papers such as parchment paper, butter paper, wax paper, etc. Although they look similar, they do not all serve the same purpose.
So, it’ll be great to know the different greaseproof papers and how to use each for safety reasons. The focus of this discussion is a comparison of parchment paper vs butter paper, two very identical greaseproof papers.
What is parchment paper?
Parchment papers are non-stick greaseproof papers used for lining baking sheets to prevent baked food from sticking on them.
It is a cellulose-based composite coated with sulfuric acid or zinc chloride to make it greaseproof, moisture-resistant, and heat-resistant.
Parchment paper is perfect for baking in the oven. With parchment paper, you do not have to go through the hassle of greasing your baking sheet with oil or butter.
Simply line your baking sheet with the paper and rest assured that your food won’t stick to the pan. It also makes post-baking cleaning effortless.
Parchment paper is also used as a wrap for cooking en papillote. Whether you’re looking to bake your seafood or chicken using this technique, parchment paper is just right for it.
Uses of parchment paper
1. To line baking sheets
This is the most common use of parchment paper. Lining a baking sheet with parchment paper protects both the pan and the food. It prevents the food from burning or sticking to the pan and allows it to cook evenly.
2. Lining cake pans
Cakes easily stick to the pans because of their soft texture. When this happens, the cake may not turn out the way you want. Lining your cake pan with parchment paper makes it easy to remove the cake from the pan.
3. For cooking en papillote
En papillote is a technique used to gently bake light proteins like fish, chicken, and vegetables in a folded pouch or parcel. Parchment papers serve as a pouch for en papillote cooking.
En papillote is an excellent way of cooking because it brings out the original flavor of your food. It’s also a good way to cook without additional fat (oil and butter).
4. Adding ingredients into a mixer
If you don’t have a cutting board to pour your flour mix, cream butter, and pour sugar into the mixer, it can be a mess. Bowls are not a good alternative as they do not give the same degree of accuracy and neatness as a cutting board.
Parchment papers can serve as a funnel for neatly pouring flour mix into a working mixer.
5. Countertop cover
Parchment paper can serve as a protective countertop cover when you’re performing a messy task. It is sturdy enough to hold hot and cold liquid and is grease-resistant in case you’re working with oil.
By placing it as a countertop cover before performing any messy task, you wouldn’t have much clean-up to do when you’re done. You can just dispose of the parchment paper and move ahead with other tasks.
6. For storage
Although parchment paper may not be your best bet for storing food in the fridge because of its impermeable nature, you can place it in between food (sliced food) before putting them in the fridge.
For instance, you can use it to keep the layers of a batch of cookies separated before placing them in the fridge.
What is butter paper?
Butter paper or wax papers are non-stick, moisture-resistant materials that are perfect for storing food items in the fridge. This paper is coated with thin wax on the sides, allowing for excellent moisture resistance.
Butter paper is not heat-resistant, so using it in the oven can cause smoke or fire. The wax melts when it comes in contact with fire but it does well with moisture.
Uses of butter paper
1. For storing food
The general use of butter paper is to store food in the fridge. Because of their wax coating, they are waterproof and can keep your food safe for as long as possible.
2. To roll non-baked food
You can use butter paper to roll foods that don’t need to be baked. Butter paper is also used to roll freshly baked goods. It doesn’t stick, so you can roll out your pastry dough on it to prevent sticking.
Parchment paper vs butter paper
Parchment paper and butter paper are both non-stick, moisture-resistant, and greaseproof.
But, butter paper is not used for cooking because it is not heat-resistant. The wax coating melts upon contact with heat and can contaminate your food and catch fire in the oven. Butter paper is best for storing food in the refrigerator.
On the other hand, parchment paper is coated with materials (sulphuric acid and sometimes silicon) that make it heat-resistant. Parchment paper can withstand even the highest oven temperature which makes it the best option for baking.
Although it is moisture resistant it is not as perfect for storing food in the fridge as butter paper.
FAQs
Is butter paper the same as wax paper?
Yes, butter paper is also called wax paper.
What are parchment paper alternatives?
Other greaseproof papers you can use in place of parchment paper include Silpat baking mats, aluminum foil, silicone pads, and greased pans.
Is parchment paper better than butter paper?
Parchment paper is not better than butter paper, nor the other way around. Both papers serve different purposes and are not comparable.
Parchment paper is used for baking while butter paper is used for storing food.
Conclusion
Even though butter paper is non-stick and moisture-resistant, do not confuse or replace it with parchment paper to avoid any hazards. Butter paper has a wax coating while parchment paper has a silicone coating.
As a result, parchment paper can withstand heat from the oven, but butter paper will melt or catch fire in the oven. Butter paper is better for storing your food items in the fridge.
In a comparison of parchment paper vs butter paper, no one is better than the other.
I hope this article has answered all your questions.
Thanks for reading.
Become an expert baker with informational articles like this on Millenora.
