vegetable parchment paper
A paper made by passing a WATERLEAF sheet
through a bath of sulfuric acid, or (at times)
zinc chloride, under established conditions of
time, temperature, and the like. The treated paper
is then washed thoroughly so as to remove the acid
or zinc salt, after which it is dried. The
chemical partially dissolves or gelatinizes the
paper, which is then regenerated when the chemical
is diluted by the washing. This forms a very
tough, stiff, smooth paper with an appearance
somewhat like that of a genuine parchment. Because
paper treated in this manner has a tendency to
become brittle and to wrinkle upon drying, it is
frequently treated with a plasticizing agent,
usually glycerine or glucose. The waterleaf sheet
is made from rag or (more usually) chemical wood
pulp. (17 , 82 , 143 )