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What is Edible Easter Grass?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Edible Easter grass is a form of decorative grass which is meant to be used in Easter baskets and other seasonal arrangements for Easter. In addition to looking pretty, it is also edible, although most edible Easter grass does not taste very good. The primary advantage to edible grass is that it is biodegradable, so it will not take up valuable and useful landfill space, in contrast with traditional plastic Easter grass. Many stores carry this product around Easter, and it is also available directly from several manufacturers.

There are several ways to make edible grass for Easter baskets. One method involves the use of spun sugar. Spun sugar has historically been used to make a passable replica of grass for complex candy arrangements; if you have seen the version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory which stars Gene Wilder, you have seen spun sugar grass in action. However, spun sugar is delicate and not very shelf stable, making it a less than ideal filler for Easter gift baskets.

Themed Easter baskets may include Barbie dolls.
Themed Easter baskets may include Barbie dolls.

Therefore, most producers of edible Easter grass make it from an edible starch. Rice is a common choice of starch, although you can also find edible Easter grass made from potatoes and other starch sources. The starch is turned into a product known as wafer paper, which is also used as an edible candy wrapper by many Asian candy companies. The wafer paper can be flavored and colored with various substances by treating the starch before it is rolled out.

Once the wafer paper is made, it can be shredded to make edible Easter grass and an assortment of other products. Most companies make this product in a range of pastel colors for Easter, and it is often available in a sugar free form. As anyone who has tried wafer paper knows, while it is technically edible, it is nothing to write home about. If anything, it tastes rather like paper, having a somewhat starchy texture and taste before it dissolves on the tongue.

Wafer paper is very shelf stable, so it can be kept around the house or in a store for months, and it is very useful for lining gift baskets and making table arrangements. The best use of edible Easter grass is as an alternative to cellophane, paper, or wooden strips, and you may want to alert the recipient to the fact that the Easter grass can be composted, rather than just thrown away.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

JessiC

I wonder if these edible Easter grasses come in a variety of colors. I teach a class of Pre-K students, and we live in a rural community that still embraces Easter traditions in school. So, every year, I have my hands full with tons of Easter grass for their homemade Easter baskets! It would be great to have something that the kids could not only enjoy eating, but also a way to demonstrate how every little bit of waste we eliminate helps the environment. However, if it only comes in one color or blah colors, the kids are not likely to really be enthralled with the concept.

Eviemae

Well now I’ve heard it all! Where have I been all this time? Edible Easter grass? That is a great idea, although it probably would be better if it really tasted good, too. I bet someone could make a bundle if they tried to make the spun sugar concept work with one of the more shelf ready grasses. Wow! Or maybe even have chocolate incorporated somehow. Everybody loves chocolate! Then put all of that yummpy edible Easter grass inside of a yummy, chocolate edible Easter basket! Can we say, "Winner!"

Ballyhoo

Can someone give the names of some of the manufactures or distributors of this stuff? I have a large project that may require lots of this. Thanks.

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    • Themed Easter baskets may include Barbie dolls.
      Themed Easter baskets may include Barbie dolls.