Edible Gold Leaf
Edible gold leaf is real 23.75kt gold (99% gold, 1% silver), beaten into sheets thinner than a human hair. It’s an approved food additive in the EU (E175), it’s tasteless, and it passes through the body without being absorbed, so it adds nothing but shine to cakes, chocolates, desserts, and cocktails. Choose 80mm sheets to cover larger areas, small 38mm leaves for accents, or flakes for sprinkling.
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Edible Genuine Gold Flakes
Price range: $19.53 through $57.11 View -
23.75K Edible Genuine Gold Leaf 80mm 3 1/8″ Loose
Price range: $52.25 through $2,062.00 View -
23.75K Edible Genuine Gold Leaf (transfer / patent) 80mm 3 1/8″
Price range: $59.94 through $2,199.05 View -
23.75K Small Edible Genuine Gold Leaf 38mm 1.5″ Loose
Price range: $9.99 through $62.21 View
Which Edible Gold Should I Choose?
| Product | Size | Best for | Pack sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loose Leaf | 80mm (3 1/8″) | Covering cakes and larger surfaces; experienced decorators | 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500 sheets |
| Transfer Leaf | 80mm (3 1/8″) | Beginners, clean edges, pressing onto fondant or chocolate | 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500 sheets |
| Small Loose Leaf | 38mm (1.5″) | Accents on cupcakes, macarons, chocolates, and plated desserts | 5, 10, 12, 20, 24, 48 sheets |
| Flakes | 150mg jar, bamboo tweezers included | Cocktails, champagne, truffles, finishing touches | 150g |
What is Edible Gold Leaf?
Edible gold leaf is pure gold beaten into ultra-thin sheets and used to decorate food and drink, a tradition that goes back centuries. Because gold at this purity is biologically inert, it doesn’t react with anything in the body and passes straight through the digestive tract. In the EU, gold is an approved food additive under the code E175.
Only use gold leaf sold specifically as edible. Artist gold leaf, especially lower karats, contains more silver and copper and isn’t produced or packed as food-grade, and imitation leaf (copper and zinc) is never safe to eat. All our edible products are 23.75kt gold and sold separately from our artist leaf.
That’s why we only sell edible-grade sheets at 23.75kt (99% gold, 1% silver): below that purity, the alloy content isn’t approved for consumption.
Edible Gold Sheets
When wanting to layer edible gold on top of your food, edible gold leaf sheets are the best way to go. This is because these will come in a sheet of gold that can be easily layered atop the food and simply secured.
Our sheets are available as transfer/patent leaf or in loose-leaf booklets. Each of which can come in batches of 25, 50, 100 or 500 sheets. Every sheet though will be 80mm squares in dimensions. As such, these make for an easy and even measurement for applying to food in large consistent layers.
Additionally, they, like any edible gold, are classified as a natural food additive. As such they are incredibly pure examples of gold due to being 23.75 Karats.
Loose vs. Transfer Edible Gold Leaf
Loose leaf sits unattached between tissue pages in the booklet. You lift it out with a gilder’s knife or tweezers, or tip it onto a gilder’s cushion, and lay it on the food. It’s the most flexible option for irregular shapes and crumpled or torn effects, but it’s extremely light and moves with the slightest breath of air.
Transfer leaf is lightly pressed onto tissue paper. You press the tissue, gold side down, onto the food and rub the back gently with a soft brush or cotton bud; the gold releases and the tissue lifts away. It’s easier for beginners and gives the cleanest edges on fondant, ganache, and chocolate.
Both come as 80mm (3 1/8″) sheets of 23.75kt gold. For smaller accents, our 38mm (1.5″) small leaf is easier to handle and wastes less gold.
Edible Gold Flakes
Edible gold flakes are the easiest way to add gold to food and drink: pick up a few flakes with the bamboo tweezers included in every 150mg jar and place them on cocktails, champagne, truffles, or desserts. Like our sheets, the flakes are 23.75kt gold.
As with the sheets of edible leaf, edible gold flakes are extremely pure in quality with a 23.75 Karat rating. Additionally, these edible flakes will come in 150mg jars and include a set of bamboo tweezers in order to delicately place the gold flakes where you wish on your dish.
Gold Leaf for Food
Using gold leaf for food is incredibly common. You can choose to go with gold leaf flakes, loose leaf, or gold leaf sheets according to your preference. No matter which you choose, you should know that there are endless opportunities out there for you to add a little glitz and glamor to your food without having to worry about getting sick in the process.
Is Gold Leaf Really Edible?
While it may seem strange, you should know that genuine gold leaf, especially those marked as “edible” gold leaf, is indeed safe to eat. However, there are pure gold types that may not be as safe as those designated specifically as edible gold leaf, so we always recommend you look for edible quality gold leaf or edible gold flakes if your intention is to eventually eat them.
And while there are studies conducted that prove gold is biologically inert and therefore, won’t have any effect on your digestive tract, just know that some with smaller carat value may contain more impurities and thus, may not be fit for the human body the way that edible gold leaves are.
What Is Gold Leaf Used for in Food?
When it comes to how gold leaf is actually used in food, you may find yourself surprised. Edible gold leaf is often used as decoration on birthday cake, truffles, cupcakes, alcoholic drinks, wedding cakes, for candy making, and a wide variety of other resourceful ways for dining pleasure. Gold leaf sheets are usually used in tiny pieces on desserts, but whole sheets can be used as well. We’ve even seen a gold leaf bun and gold flaked chicken wings! Food decoration opportunities are endless when it comes to the use of edible gold leaf sheets.
How Expensive Is Edible Gold Leaf?
Edible gold leaf can sometimes seem quite expensive, especially if it is genuine gold. Edible gold that is 23 carats and up may be pricer, but they are also the purest varieties available. This makes them perfect for big events when you want to decorate food using high style and sophisticated means.
Remember also that the price of your gold leaf will change depending on how pure it is, so the lower price point you see reflected may be an indication that it is a lesser karat gold than the genuine 24 karat sort.
Gold Leaf For Food Is a Glamorously Wonderful Idea
Edible silver leaf is also available for savory dishes, Indian sweets, and silver-and-gold color schemes. See our edible silver leaf.
How Much Edible Gold Leaf Do I Need?
For accents on cupcakes, chocolates, or plated desserts, one 38mm leaf decorates several pieces, so a small pack goes a long way. To cover the top of an 8″ cake completely you’ll need roughly 6–8 sheets of 80mm leaf, more for the sides or if you want an even finish without gaps. For drinks, a small pinch of flakes per glass is enough.
FAQ – Edible Gold Leaf
What is edible gold leaf made of?
Our edible gold leaf is 23.75kt gold: 99% pure gold and 1% silver, with no fillers or additives. It’s also naturally vegan.
Is edible gold leaf safe to eat?
Yes. Gold at this purity is biologically inert, so it passes through the body without being absorbed. It’s approved as a food additive in the EU under E175. Only eat gold that’s sold specifically as edible.
Can I use regular gold leaf on food?
No. Artist gold leaf isn’t produced or packed as food-grade, lower karats contain more silver and copper, and imitation gold leaf (copper and zinc) is never safe to eat. Use only leaf labeled as edible.
What does edible gold leaf taste like?
Nothing. It has no taste or smell and doesn’t change the flavor of food or drink. Whole sheets can add a very slight texture, but gold leaf is used for looks, not flavor.
How do I apply edible gold leaf?
Use dry tools and dry hands, and keep the leaf away from fans and open windows. Apply it to a slightly tacky surface such as fondant, buttercream, or chocolate, or brush a tiny amount of water or piping gel where you want it to stick. See our step-by-step guide to using edible gold leaf.
How should I store edible gold leaf?
Keep the booklets flat, closed, and dry at room temperature. Stored this way, gold leaf doesn’t expire or tarnish.