What to Consider When Buying Chopsticks

• Ease of Use

There’s a couple of factors that make up how easy a new set of chopsticks are to use. Things like length, shape and texture can all affect how easy it is to familiarize yourself with your new utensils. For experienced chopstick users, it might be that you can find yourself with the slimmer, tapered Japanese chopsticks and have no issues. For others, it can be worth starting with shorter chopsticks or those with a chunkier, squarer end.

• Cleanliness

If you’re looking into reusable chopsticks, cleanliness is a key factor in which are the best chopsticks for you. Intricate designs can be beautiful to look at but a nightmare to clean and some materials can’t be placed in a dishwasher or require special handling during clean-ups.

• Material

The material of the chopsticks can have a huge effect on how well your new utensils work with you, as well as changing how convenient they are to care for and clean. The main three materials for chopsticks are metal, wood and plastic. Although there are more expensive options out there, these are the main types that we’ll focus on.

• Metal Chopsticks

Non-corrosive and easy to clean, metal chopsticks usually come in stainless-steel and titanium. These will last for as long as you need them (or until you lose them), as they won’t warp, rust or snap during use. They usually come well-presented in beautiful boxes and make for great gifts because of their longer lifespan.

Unfortunately, they can also be a little more difficult to get used to, as they have less grip when it comes to taking hold of food. They also have a slightly metallic taste when you’re eating, so can affect the flavor of the food. Finally, they can also become very hot as they are very conductive, so you might need to be aware of this when eating hot food.

• Wooden Chopsticks

Made from a hardwood or bamboo, wooden chopsticks can come with carved handles which look very classy and smart. The natural grain makes them easier to grip and are therefore a little easier to handle both in your hands and for grabbing the food. Bamboo chopsticks and wooden chopsticks also have the added benefit of being an eco-friendly option from renewable sources.

Unfortunately, they’re a little tougher to clean- especially if they’re carved as you’ll need to get into all the nooks that will be inlaid into the wood. They’re also more likely to warp, or snap- although they are comfortable for use with both hot and cold food.

• Plastic Chopsticks

Plastic chopsticks are decreasing in popularity and therefore availability, mostly due to the fact that they can be a little flimsy and are not biodegradable. That said, they are cheap, easy to clean and reusable- just be sure to only purchase those that are BPA-free and will be less likely to leach chemicals into your food.

• Budget and Quality

What you decide to spend on chopsticks will most likely depend on when you’re looking to use your chopsticks- whether you will be attending or hosting more formal dining experiences, or if you simply want some reusable chopsticks to bring along with you when eating in the office.

Naturally, for more formal dining experiences, you’ll want to spend a little more to get the better-quality chopsticks that come with great designs and high-quality metals and wood, but if you’re after something just for yourself, you can probably afford to skimp out a little and get some decent, simple chopsticks.

Types of Chopsticks

• Korean chopsticks

You’ll commonly find these in both stainless-steel and titanium materials and are therefore the toughest of the three options. This is due to the traditional belief that silver chopsticks could detect poisons that may have been placed in the food (and why the emperor only used chopsticks which were made of silver).

Korean chopsticks also usually come with a longer spoon, which is designed to be used in conjunction with these utensils and are great for a wider range of food, including soups.

• Japanese chopsticks

Japanese chopsticks are used for multiple different purposes, such as cooking, as well as eating or simply for decoration. They are more tapered at the ends, which is thought to be related to the fact that a lot of Japanese food revolves around fish-based diets and the pointed ends are better for removing small bones that are found in fish diets.

• Chinese chopsticks

Typically made with bamboo, plastic or ivory, Chinese chopsticks are the longest choice of the three options given here. This is because Chinese food is often served up on rotating tables that are larger- designed for food that is served for many people at once- and therefore the utensils need to be longer in order to reach every option available.

You might also notice that Chinese chopsticks don’t taper as much at the ends, while also being thicker than both Korean and Japanese chopsticks. This, again, is related to the eating in larger groups- usually in family settings- which means these chopsticks are designed to grab bigger helpings over the more formal, smaller bites that could be found in a formal setting.

Chopsticks as a Cultural Symbol in China

Chopsticks, also known as ‘Kuaizi’, have been used for more than 3000 years, but the earliest confirmed use of chopsticks in China goes as far back as during the Shang dynasty in 1200 B.C, after six bronze chopsticks were discovered that could be dated to that era. However, using chopsticks as dinner utensils for eating is a comparatively new amendment to this humble implement. Before this, for almost a thousand years, the primary function of chopsticks was to help stir the pot whilst cooking and they were not used for eating.

In around 400 A.D however, it was discovered that by cutting food into bitesize pieces before cooking, and by using chopsticks to transfer the food from bowl to mouth without the need for chopping up food, Chinese people could conserve energy and time. Therefore, it was around this time that chopsticks were redesigned, being made shorter to fit this new purpose.

The invention of this shorter chopstick meant that knives no longer needed to be used as an eating implement, which led to these falling out of favor. In fact, the removal of knives from the dinner table was largely influenced by Confucius, an ancient Chinese philosopher who was an avid vegetarian. His philosophy, Confucianism, taught the importance of life and argued that by using knives at the dinner table, one was reminded of the slaughterhouse and the very instrument the animal had lost its life to.

The cultural significance of chopsticks is steeped in local legends and folklore. Although there is no historical evidence that accounts for the inventor of the chopsticks, folklore legends make a number of claims. One such legend claims that chopsticks originated in China, during the time of Emperor Yu the Great.

As the legend goes; there was a time when great floods threatened Chinese civilization. The Emperor was working hard to control these floods and hardly had time to eat, as he was so busy helping his people. One day, the Emperor sat down to eat with his family- a rare occurrence in these troubled times. The meat had been cooked in the pot but was sitting in boiling water, which meant the Emperor was going to have to wait for the meat to cool down, though he felt he didn’t have time to do so. Thus, instead of waiting or burning his hands by reaching into the hot water, he snapped a couple of twigs from a tree branch and used them to pick the meat out of the boiling water and ate them straight from the cooking bowl.

Eating with chopsticks is incredibly commonplace in China and from a young age, Chinese people are familiar with the correct way to use them. Using them incorrectly can be seen as bad manners and may even serve as an insult to your host. For example, tapping your chopsticks against your bowl and using them to point at people is often interpreted as extremely impolite, and an insult to those in your company.

Standing up or inserting your chopsticks vertically in a bowl of rice is also considered a vehement insult, as it is said to resemble the incense sticks at funerals. This means that your ability to use chopsticks correctly whilst eating acts as a representation of your thoughts about the meal, the people around you and your manners.

Physically, chopsticks may seem simple, but they come in various types and forms. Symbolically, the different colors and materials that chopsticks come in hold different symbolic cultural meanings. For instance, in the past, chopsticks made of ivory, jade, coral or bronze acted as displays of wealth and were solely used by middle-class and upper-class diners.

During the Shang Dynasty, ivory was an extremely valuable and luxurious material to be in possession of. Using ivory chopsticks, therefore, was a clear symbol of wealth and indicated that you were of high status in society. It was also believed that silver was able to detect poison and would turn black if it came into contact with poisoned foods. Owning silver chopsticks, therefore, was not only a symbol of wealth and status but also protection. Silver and gold chopsticks were also worn by women as decorations of wealth and nobility.

Nowadays, chopsticks remain a central part of Chinese culture. They are an instantly recognizable symbol of China and hold huge cultural significance in China. To this day, Chinese people use chopsticks at most meals, with chopsticks made out of wood or porcelain being the preferred eating implement for many.

Chopsticks also have cultural significance away from the dinner table. Physically, chopsticks come in two parts but both parts are needed for the chopsticks to serve their purpose. In this way, they symbolize yin and yang. The idea that the two chopsticks complement each-other and cannot function without the other, much like a couple, is one reason why chopsticks are often gifted to newlywed or betrothed couples in China to wish them a happy marriage.

 Another reason why chopsticks make a popular wedding gift is the idea that chopsticks symbolize the union of heaven and earth. The round or square ends of chopsticks represent heaven and earth which nourish humanity, represented by the fingers. Chopsticks are also often used by skilled artists to paint with and have been incorporated into the fashion world.

Chopsticks have a deep cultural significance in China. Indeed, the chopsticks’ significance is steeped in history which dates back more than 3000 years. The type and material of chopsticks and their purpose have changed over time, but the centrality to Chinese culture has remained. For many Chinese people. they represent Chinese history, legend, etiquette and culture- and this still inspires many manufacturers today, when creating new designs and forms.

Best Chopsticks FAQ:

Q: Can I reuse bamboo chopsticks?

A: You’ll be pleased to hear that all bamboo chopsticks are reusable! These reusable chopsticks will need to be cared for in the same way as any other wooden utensils, in that they will need to be carefully washed and thoroughly dried before being stored in a cool, dry place. This will ensure they keep an appropriate longevity, although it is advised that bamboo chopsticks be replaced roughly every 6 months as, at around this point, they will begin to warp and wear down, becoming unusable.

Q: Are titanium chopsticks safe?

A: Titanium chopsticks are absolutely safe for use with food. They are durable, hard-wearing and non-corrosive. Their inert material is completely tasteless, odorless and heat-resistant, which makes them the perfect choice as a reusable chopstick.

Q: Are chopsticks dishwasher safe?

A: The majority of modern chopsticks are completely dishwasher safe. While wooden chopsticks can be a little hit-and-miss and require a lacquer to help become waterproof, stainless steel chopsticks are already more suited for use in a dishwasher, being waterproof and unlikely to rust.

For plastic chopsticks, it can be worth checking with the description to ensure that your new utensils are safe for use in the dishwasher. Similarly, some wooden and glass choices aren’t tempered or tough enough to handle the changing heat of a standard dishwasher and will need to be handwashed.

When using the dishwasher for your chopsticks, be sure to keep your utensils on the top shelf and try to weigh them down with something so they don’t fly around during the water cycles or fall off the ledges.

Our Top Pick

Aside from looking incredible and coming in sleek, beautifully designed case, we love the finessCity Titanium Chopsticks with Aluminum Case because they’re lightweight, easy to work with and so convenient. The inert titanium material makes them ideal for use with food and completely dishwasher safe.

They are non-allergenic, strong and durable, so likely to last almost any user until they decide they’re bored of these or lose them. They also come in some great colors that help to add a little bit of personality to your lunch, as well as being so easy to bring along, no matter where you are or what kind of food you’re dining on.

Sources:

1. Differences Between Japanese, Chinese and Korean Chopsticks - Pogogi
2. What Should I Consider When Buying Chopsticks? - Wise Geek