How to Improve Piping Skills?
**Piping Nozzle Position**
The angle of the piping nozzle is a crucial element in the piping process, determining the shape of the piped flower petals. Throughout this book, you'll frequently encounter instructions to "position the piping nozzle at a 20-30 degree angle to the surface"—this is the fundamental placement angle. Generally, when piping petals, begin with outer petals, gradually increasing the angle of the piping nozzle as you move toward the center (an increase of about 5-10 degrees). Also, the piping nozzle must touch the previous layer of petals.
**Pressure Control**
Another key aspect of piping is controlling the pressure applied to the piping bag. Consistent pressure and force determine the size and uniformity of the petals or decorations. Too light pressure might cause the edges of the piped petals to crumble, while excessive pressure can lead to curled or misshapen petals and overly thick piped shapes. It's recommended to develop a feel for this; once you've got the hang of it, you'll be able to gauge the appropriate pressure.
**Using a Flower Nail**
Hold the flower nail steady with one hand and, with consistent pressure, continuously squeeze the piping bag to pipe the buttercream while rotating the flower nail to create a mound of buttercream.
Then, pipe petals at the top of the mound. Use scissors to cut halfway through the buttercream from the base, ensuring the scissors aren't completely closed, allowing the flower to rest on the blade. Rotate away from the flower nail to gently release the flower.
Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to assist in gently lifting the flower from the scissors.
**Freezing Buttercream Flowers**
Cut a small piece of parchment paper (wax paper) about 7-7.5 cm (2-3 inches) and dab a small amount of buttercream to stick it onto the flower nail.
Pipe a flower on the nail (refer to the previous page's "Using a Flower Nail" steps) and then, using scissors, lift it from beneath the parchment paper.
Gently slide the flower off the scissors onto a small board or tray, securing one corner of the parchment paper with your finger and releasing the scissors.
Freeze the flower for 10-20 minutes, monitoring its freezing condition to prevent it from becoming too hard.
Warm Tip:
Avoid freezing the flowers for too long, and definitely not overnight, as this might cause condensation or color fading on the flowers. Aim for a freezing time of 10-20 minutes, or until the flowers become firm enough.