Definition

Noun: A thin, delicate, translucent material, not made from rice but from the pith of the rice-paper tree (Tetrapanax papyrifer). It is used for various arts, crafts, and in cooking, particularly for wrapping foods like spring rolls.

Usage

Rice paper is primarily used as a material. * In art, it is used for painting, calligraphy, and paper crafts due to its absorbent and delicate nature. * In cooking, especially in Asian cuisines, edible rice paper (often made from rice flour) is used as a wrapper for spring rolls and other dishes.

Examples

• Art/Craft:
  • The artist preferred to paint on rice paper because of its unique texture.
  • She carefully mounted the delicate drawing on a sheet of rice paper.
• Cooking:
  • To make fresh spring rolls, first dip the sheet of rice paper in warm water until it becomes pliable.
  • The rice paper wrapper becomes soft and slightly chewy when cooked.

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes cause confusion, as true "rice paper" for art is from a tree, while the edible wrappers commonly called "rice paper" are typically made from rice flour, water, and salt.
• In a botanical or artistic context, specifying "rice-paper plant paper" can distinguish it from the edible product.

Variants and Related Words

• Rice-paper tree (n): The plant () from whose pith traditional rice paper is made.
• Spring roll wrapper (n): A common name for the edible type of rice paper used in cooking.
• Bánh tráng (n): The Vietnamese term for edible rice paper sheets.

Synonyms

• Edible paper (specifically for the culinary type)
• Wafer (in some contexts for very thin, crisp edible sheets, though not identical)

Related Phrases

• Rice paper art: Artwork created on or with rice paper.
• Rice paper wrapper: Specifically denotes the edible type used to encase food.

Noun

1. a thin delicate material resembling paper; made from the rice-paper tree