Piping bag

Piping Bag

A piping bag or pastry 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. The bag is filled through a wider opening at the opposite end, rolled or twisted closed, and then squeezed to extrude its contents.

History

The concept of the piping bag dates back to the 18th century, when cooks would use animal intestines to pipe food into specific shapes or containers. The modern version of the piping bag, made from cloth or plastic, was developed in the 19th century.

Types of Piping Bags

There are several types of piping bags, including reusable and disposable ones. Reusable bags are typically made from heavy-duty materials like nylon or cotton, and they can be washed and reused. Disposable bags, on the other hand, are made from thin plastic and are intended to be thrown away after use.

Featherweight Bags

Featherweight bags are reusable bags made from polyester. They are coated with polyurethane and are available in a variety of sizes.

Disposable Bags

Disposable bags are clear, allowing the user to see how much icing is left. They are made of plastic and are often used when using colored icing, as they do not stain.

Parchment Bags

Parchment bags are often used by professional cake decorators. They are made from parchment paper and are disposable.

Uses

Piping bags are commonly used in cake decorating and baking. They are used to pipe semi-solid foods by pressing them through a narrow opening at one end fitted with a shaped nozzle. This allows for precise control over the shape and amount of icing, dough, or filling being applied.

See Also

• Cake decorating
• Icing (food)
• Pastry chef

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