Pastry bag

Pastry bag or piping bag is an often cone- or triangular-shaped bag made from cloth, paper, or plastic that is squeezed by hand to pipe semi-solid foods by pressing them through a narrow opening at one end often fitted with a shaped nozzle, for many purposes including in particular cake decoration and icing.

History

The concept of the pastry bag has been around for centuries. The earliest forms were made from animal intestines, but modern bags are often plastic and come with a variety of metal tips for different types of decoration.

Usage

The pastry bag is an essential tool in the baking and pastry world. It is used to pipe semi-solid foods by pressing them through a narrow opening at one end of the bag. The bag is often fitted with a shaped nozzle. This allows for a wide variety of shapes and designs to be created with the food being piped. The most common use of a pastry bag is in cake decoration and icing. However, it can also be used to pipe dough, batter, or other mixtures.

Types

There are several types of pastry bags available. The most common types are reusable and disposable. Reusable bags, made from materials such as nylon or cotton, can be washed and used again. Disposable bags, often made from plastic, are used once and then thrown away. The type of pastry bag chosen often depends on the task at hand and the preference of the user.

Nozzles

The nozzles, or tips, of a pastry bag can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are typically made from metal and are used to create different designs with the food being piped. Some common types of nozzles include round, star, leaf, and petal.

See also

• Cake decorating
• Icing (food)
• Baking
• Pastry