Wafer paper: product history

The history of wafer paper can be traced back several centuries. Its origins are not entirely clear, but we do know that during the Renaissance, wafer paper was served as a dessert. It was a luxury foodstuff that only the aristocracy and upper middle classes could afford. Later, wafer paper was invested with religious significance, symbolizing the celebration of the Eucharist. Today wafer paper is a product that is affordable to all, adults and children, rich and not so rich.

The main ingredient in communion wafers is wheat flour while numerous versions of wafer paper from Asian countries use rice flour as the key ingredient. The wafer paper we produce in the Netherlands, on the other hand, is made from potato starch, which makes sense if you stop to consider that potatoes have always been the staple food of the Netherlands. This is illustrated in the historical snapshot provided by the famous Vincent van Gogh painting: "The potato eaters", De aardappeleters.

Although it was once simply an ingredient in food to be cooked, today wafer paper is a product with its very own identity. Here we set out to illustrate its countless uses. The following information is aimed at the large scale retail channel, since Primus Ouwel does not sell direct to consumers.