Gum Tragacanth

Also known as powdered tragacanth or gum Arabic, this is used for preserving and frosting flower petals. It is no longer widely available, and is now most easily bought on order through independent high street pharmacies. If you can buy it, mix 1 teaspoon of the powder with 1 tablespoon of water and brush it on the petals before dipping in caster or icing sugar. The alternative is to use whisked egg white, as described on p. 37.