Maple leaf garnish

[nancylehigh]

I want to use Japanese Maple leaves from my tree to garnish a cake for decoration only. Is it safe to lay the leaves directly on butter/cream cheese icing?

 

[pdswife]

I'm not sure but... if it is I'm sure it will be pretty!

 

[Constance]

Japanese maples are not toxic...that's according to what I read on Google.

 

[Katie H]

I don't know, but make sure whatever leaves you use are washed well to remove any insects or pesticides.

 

[fireweaver]

nope, as far as i know (and i'm a vet, not a people doctor), maple leaves are only toxic to horses - some specific issue with their red blood cells. and even then, your horse has to eat a goodly quantity of the leaves, so simply laying leaves across the icing won't do anything if people aren't actually consuming the leaves. like Katie said, just wash 'em off real good.

 

[Constance]

I also read the Japanese Maple is a different genus than red maple, fireweaver.

 

[fireweaver]

nope, still Acer, but yes a different species of it anyway.

 

[nancylehigh]

thanks for the help

Thanks to you all for your input-- greatly appreciated-- Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[fireweaver]

dont' forget to post pics of your pretty cake later, to let us know how it all turned out!

and happy holidays all around!

 

[Constance]

nope, still Acer, but yes a different species of it anyway.

Oops...I guess my botany was slipping. I knew that...just got a little drunk out last night.

 

[BreezyCooking]

Fireweaver - a bit OT, but isn't it only the leaves of the Red Maple that are toxic to livestock? I'm not a vet, but am a very very long-time horse owner/breeder, & out of the maples, I've always been told/understood that it's only the Red Maple one has to be concerned about. The others don't pose a problem.