Homemade Medieval Parchment

Wednesday, 10 February 2010 22:57

Writing a poem or love letter on homemade parchment paper is a unique and moving gift that will bring a smile to his face or set her heart a-flutter. You can transform printer paper using either coffee or tea; each process requires a few household items found in most kitchens.

By Mead Bowen

The Coffee Method

You will need:

• printer paper
• instant coffee
• water
• two baking pans larger than your paper (for printer paper, 9-inch by 13-inch should work)
• a microwave
• an oven or toaster oven
• a spoon
• 2 c. red wine (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 200°F.
2. Mix about eight times the amount of coffee you would typically use for a cup of coffee with hot water.
3. Pour a quarter-inch (¼") of coffee into the first container.
If desired, add the red wine as well.*
4. Float a sheet of printer paper atop the layer of coffee.
5. Slowly spoon coffee over the paper until a thin layer coats the top side.
6. Allow the paper to sit for 1 minute.
7. Pick up the sheet of paper and allow the excess coffee to drain off.
8. Place the sheet of paper into the second container and place it in the oven. Bake for 8 minutes.
* - Red wine will separate from the coffee on the drying paper, creating wavy lines. This addition creates an advanced appearance of age.

The Tea Bag Method

You will need:

• printer paper
• bag tea (Lipton or Luzianne should do fine)
• water
• a microwave; or, a teapot and stovetop
• a cutting board

If you're too impatient to let the paper air-dry, you can let an oven do it for you. If you are impatient, you will also need:

• an oven
• a baking pan larger than your paper (for printer paper, 9-inch by 13-inch baking pans should work)
• aluminum foil, if your baking pan isn't clean

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven, if you plan to use it, to 200°F.
2. Microwave a cupful or heat a teapot of water until it steams (about a minute and a half in the microwave).
3. Let the tea bag(s) steep in the hot water for 3-5 minutes. Less time will give a darker color to the paper when you smear it.
4. Place a sheet of printer paper on your cutting board.
5. Gently swab the entire sheet of paper with the tea bag. Keep your cup of tea nearby to dip the tea bag into in case it dries out too much.
6. Carefully flip the paper over and swab the other side.
7. Allow the paper to air-dry, or bake it in the oven for 8 minutes.

If you like these videos, visit Medieval Paper and Its Place in History or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .