Have you ever wondered why your favourite kaju katli has that shiny silver coating? It’s called varak or vark—an ultra-thin sheet of edible silver that has been used in South Asian sweets for centuries. Historically, silver leaf was also associated with Ayurvedic preparations and later became a symbol of luxury in royal kitchens. Traditional production methods sometimes involved animal-derived materials, which became a concern for vegetarians and Jains. Today, Indian food-safety standards require edible silver leaf to meet strict purity requirements, and animal-derived materials are not permitted in its production.