"J.Lef" wrote:

> Just curious on something.
> One of the things that gives parchment paper its desired properties is
> silicon.
> How long has parchment paper for cooking been around, and if a long
> time, what did they use before silicon was available.
>

I don't know about parchment paper, but paper has been used for a long time.
My mother has always lined her fruit cake pans with plain brown paper. She
also uses it for meringues. I don't think she has ever used parchment paper.