Gum Paste

Ingredients

• 402 g (14 oz) white gum tragacanth
• 1 pt (2 cups) warm water
• 3 lbs powdered sugar
• 2 lbs fine starch
• ½ lb sugar
• 1 drop blue coloring

Directions

1. Soak the gum tragacanth in warm water for 24 hours until dissolved.

2. Force the dissolved gum through a towel by twisting.

3. Rub the gum on a marble slab for 10 minutes.

4. Gradually add powdered sugar while continuing to rub until 3 lbs is incorporated and the paste is white and tough.

5. For flowers, work in 2 lbs fine starch and ½ lb sugar into 1½ lbs of the stock mixture.

6. For leaf ornaments, work in 2 lbs sugar and 1 lb starch into 2 lbs of the stock mixture, adding 1 drop of blue coloring.