Sugar Pastes and Flowers

Question 1

What are the 5 most common sugar pastes?

Answer 1

1. Pastillage
2. Mexican Paste
3. Rolled Fondant
4. Gum Paste
5. Platinum Paste

Question 2

Describe 3 characteristics of pastillage.

Answer 2

~ dries very quickly
~ dries very hard
~ makes strong structural pieces
~ can hold weight when dry

Question 3

What is Mexican Paste mainly used for?

Answer 3

Lettering, small decorations, and lacework

Question 4

How should sugar pastes be stored?

Answer 4

Individually wrapped and in airtight containers

Question 5

What is rolled fondant used for?

Answer 5

~ covering cakes
~ creating smooth surfaces for decorating
~ shaping figurines

Question 6

What are the ingredients in rolled fondant?

Answer 6

~Icing Sugar
~Shortening
~Gelatin
~Glycerin
~Glucose
~Water

Question 7

What is the role of glycerin in rolled fondant?

Answer 7

Glycerin functions as a moisturizer, keeping the rolled fondant from drying out too quickly.

Question 8

What is the function of titanium dioxide in commercial fondants?

Answer 8

Titanium Dioxide acts as a whitener and an anti-caking agent.

Question 9

What are the ingredients in gum paste?

Answer 9

~Egg Whites
~Powdered Sugar
~Tylose
~Vegetable Shortening

Question 10

What is Gum Tragacanth and what is its function in gum paste?

Answer 10

Gum Tragacanth is a natural vegetable gum extracted from plants. It allows gum paste to be stretchy and rolled out thin. It also helps the paste dry quickly and firmly.

Question 11

What is the most common alternative to gum tragacanth?

Answer 11

Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) - a chemically produced alternative
Tylose is a brand name of CMC

Question 12

How can rolled fondant be made into gum paste?

Answer 12

The addition of gum tragacanth or tylose to rolled fondant will create gum paste

Question 13

What is platinum paste?

Answer 13

A specially formulated name brand of sugar paste. It has a longer working time, therefore, it can be rolled thinner and is more pliable. The results are more realistic.

Question 14

What are the two common methods for making sugar flowers?

Answer 14

1. Wired - wires built through each petal and leaf

2. Non-Wired - assembled all together at once

Question 15

Name 5 common sugar flowers

Answer 15

Peony, Alstromeria, Traditional Poppy, Icelandic Poppy, Poinsettia, Hibiscus, Stargazer, Gerber Daisy, Tiger Lily, Succulent, Gardenia, Cattleya Orchid, David Austin Rose, Tulip, Cherry Blossoms, Sunflower, Rose