How Do You Make Japanese Rice Paper?
The art of making rice paper was introduced in Japan from China in the 17th century, and the journey of this technique is commonly attributed to a Korean Buddhist monk. As the Chinese style of paper wasn’t durable, the paper mixture was altered slightly to yield more hardy results. Rice paper isn’t actually made from rice; at most, straw from the rice plant is pulped and strained, but no actual rice grains are used in its creation except in the edible form. Cold water is essential to this process, as it prevents the fibers from dissolving. Cook the fibers until they’re mushy and easily separated. The rice paper Westerners are most familiar with—the semitranslucent material that diffuses light—is most often made from mulberry fibers (called “kozo” in Japanese), but you can also use rice straw or bamboo. Strip mulberry by steaming the branches in a pot and peeling away the bark. Bleach the fibers briefly, with either a wood ash solution or another method. Rinse the fibers twice in a
