I am trying to figure out what kind of paper it was that they lit and watched float up at the end of the meal. I'm interested in the origins of either the paper or the ceremony. If anybody could help me with this that would be great!
shareI think its tissue paper.
http://barnapkins.org
Amaretti biscuits are almond- or apricot kernel-based crispy macaroon biscuits covered in sugar crystals. You get two of these delicious crunchy cakes back-to-back in a delicately printed white tissue wrapper. They are available from Italian delis here in the UK.
When you've finished your coffee and the amaretti, you roll the wrappers up into a cylinder and light the top. The flames burn in different colours and then just before the fire reaches the tablecloth the chimney effect takes the ashes whooshing up into the air above your table.
It is very romantic, unless the ceiling fan in the restaurant is on. Then the pesky ashes go everywhere.
I just watched the first episode of Miami Vice Season Four. Frank Mosca (Stanley Tucci) lights one the cookie wrappers as he is being arrested by Crokett and Tubbs!
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