Is there an easier way to handle gold leaf sheets?

"Is there an easier way to handle gold paper/sheets?"

Yes, and it starts with not touching the gold at all. I finish desserts with gold leaf here in Calgary, and the sheet tears or balls up the second bare fingers get on it, so the backing paper does all the handling.

Cut the piece you need while it is still on its backing paper. Then lay it backing side up on the dessert, so the gold faces down onto the surface.

Press lightly, then peel the backing away clean. The gold stays on the dessert and the paper comes off in one piece.

Use tweezers on the backing, not your fingers, and keep fans and drafts away while you work. A bit of moving air is all it takes to lift a sheet this light.

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