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7 different types of chopsticks

FAQ

1. How many countries use chopsticks?

Chopsticks are the major eating utensils for the four East Asian countries — China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.

2. What materials are chopsticks made of?

They are made of bamboo, wood, plastic, polymer Material, stainless steel, silver and so on.

3. What are chopsticks used for?

Chopsticks Usage: Birthday, Holiday, Housewarming, Advertising Promotion, Anniversary Celebration, Business Gifts, Awards Commemoration.

4.How many types of chopsticks?

Chopsticks come in a wide variety of styles, with differences in geometry and material. For example disposable chopsticks, portable chopsticks, household chopsticks, restaurant chopsticks, kids chopsticks, couple chopsticks, and chopsticks gift sets.

1. Differences between Chinese, Japanese and Korean chopsticks

1.1 Japanese Chopsticks

Japanese chopsticks are slightly shorter than Chinese, they are typically rounded and taper to a point. This may be attributed to the fact that the Japanese diet consists of large amounts of whole bony fish. The pointed ends make it easier to remove small bones from the fish.

It is common for Japanese sticks to be shorter for women and children. Usually, the chopsticks in Japan have circumferential grooves at the eating end that makes food stop slipping.

1.2 Chinese Chopsticks

Chinese chopsticks can be made from a variety of materials: bamboo, plastic, wood, bone, metal, or sometimes even jade, ivory or silver. The Chinese chopsticks are around 25 cm long, rectangular in shape, with blunt ends.

They are non-slippery and easy to hold any Chinese food, salad, hot pot, other East Asian cuisines, sushi, noodle soup, BBQ, Pho, etc. Sticks made in China have gained a great reputation and are sold all over the world becoming one of the signs of the Chinese world heritage.

In the traditional culture of China, authentic chopsticks are primary tableware and they also reflect of manners and education of the people using them. With squared or rounded sides and ending in either wide, blunt, flat tips or tapered pointed tips. Blunt tips are more common with plastic or melamine varieties whereas pointed tips are more common in wood and bamboo varieties.

1.3 Korean chopsticks

Korean chopsticks are of medium-length with a small, flat rectangular shape, and made of metal. Traditionally they were made of brass or silver. Many Korean metal chopsticks are ornately decorated at the grip. They are virtually always used in tandem with a spoon.

Many chopsticks from Korea are ornately decorated at the grip. In the past, materials for chopsticks varied with social class – one could find sets made of gold, silver, cloisonné and so on.

1.4 Conclusion

When comparing these three main chopsticks many people may find themselves trying to decide which ones are better, but each type of chopsticks has its advantages and flaws.

For example, Korean chopsticks are much heavier than Chinese or Japanese because they are made of metal only, but because of this, they are often believed to be the most hygienically clean. Japanese chopsticks are shorter than Chinese or Korean, and this makes them more comfortable for picking up small pieces of food, like rice or beans.

Other East Asian countries like Vietnam, Laos or Thailand use chopsticks as well, but generally speaking their chopsticks are very similar to Chinese chopsticks.

2. Chopsticks of different materials

2.1 Bamboo Chopsticks

Bamboo is are the most affordable and appropriate materials for Chopsticks. These are very eco-friendly chopsticks and are free from any toxicity or pesticides, etc. Bamboo chopsticks are an ecologically green alternative to wood, strong, dense and versatile.

However, they can warp and deteriorate with continued use. Usually, bamboo chopsticks are disposables. It’s popular in Asian restaurants or takeaway foods.

Bamboo is totally biodegradable and takes a significantly shorter amount of time to mature than hardwoods. If you’re also looking for a more affordable option, bamboo chopsticks are the best choice.

2.2 Wooden Chopsticks

The wooden chopsticks are usually made of hardwood such as boxwood, chestnut wood, ebony wood, snakewood, birch wood, red sandalwood, which are low in temperature conduction.

Hardwood has no splinter and it is lightweight, durable and dense, it won’t swell or absorb water. Hand washes recommended.

But proper caution needs to be exercised while buying wooden chopsticks as you need to ensure that the wooden chopsticks you are buying have its original color. And not painted with artificial colors.

Red sandalwood has historically been valued in China. Due to its slow growth and rarity, furniture made from zitan is difficult to find and can be expensive.

2.3 PPS Chopsticks(Polymer Material Alloy Chopsticks)

The PPS chopsticks are made from materials synthesized from “polymer materials” and “glass fibers”.

Item A variety of alloy elements, make the change organization structure and performance, which has some special properties, such as high hardness, High wear resistance, high toughness, corrosion resistance, etc. And alloy chopsticks are made from macromolecule material and glass fiber composite materials manufacturing and become security Vessels has been through the national food safety monitoring; Temperature resistance Alloy chopsticks and heat-resistant reached 180 ℃ sterilize and for a long time without any deformation; durability Molecular structure rigidity, hardness, and toughness; Skid resistance Straight and tall and straight of the chopsticks, chopsticks combined closely is the assurance of food without slippage.

2.4 Melamine chopsticks

Melamine chopsticks are made of heat resistant and dishwasher safe melamine plastic. These chopsticks are economical and a great option for high-volume eateries.

Melamine chopsticks are an excellent addition to Asian-inspired restaurants, hotels and other food service establishments. Designed in stylish colors, these chopsticks will add a fun touch to your guests’ dining experience.

2.5 Metal chopsticks (food grade stainless steel 304 chopsticks )

Stainless steel chopsticks are made of durable, dishwasher safe stainless steel.

These chopsticks are durable, easy-care, reusable chopsticks that will last almost indefinitely, and stand up to heavy use and washing. They look great and add a classy look to your table.

Suitable for kitchens and hotels, any Asian-influenced dinners, sushi nights and any Asian specials.

Metal chopsticks

2.6 Silver Chopsticks

Silver chopsticks are the luxury chopsticks used by the wealthy.

In ancient times it was believed that the silver would change its color to black upon contact with the poison. Thus, the wealthy use to eat with these as a precautionary measure from any potential danger. But today also chopsticks made of materials like ivory, jade, gold. And silver is typically chosen to show off luxury.

Silver chopsticks are normally made of silver and hardwood, high-end, handmade. There are carved grooved rings around the tip to keep anti-slip. The tip of most silver chopsticks is made of silver to replace lacquered wood, more healthy.

Silver Chopsticks

2.7 Plastic Chopsticks

Plastic Chopsticks too are relatively economical and low in temperature conduction.

As compared to bamboo or wooden chopsticks as the food tends to slip with these. Also, you cannot use plastic chopsticks for cooking since they can be damaged under high temperatures, and may produce toxic compounds harmful to the body.

Thus, it is not recommended to use plastic chopsticks especially those that will easily melt or change shape when exposed to high temperatures.

3. Chopsticks of different Crafts

3.1 Pencil Chopsticks

Funny pencil chopsticks are lacquered in many colors with pencil-shaped head. They are funny designs, perfect for children, Asian fans and youthful adults to eat a snack, lunch, etc. in kindergarten, school or office.

3.2 Bind wire Chopsticks

Binding wire chopsticks are using colored polyester wire to bind around the body of chopsticks to keep chopsticks anti-slip or printing the colored lines on the chopstick's body. Binding wire chopsticks are fashion Japanese style chopsticks, popular in the Japan market.

3.3 Nail Tensoge Chopsticks

Japanese style creative home natural wood nail chopsticks oblique head cute couple daily chopsticks.

Nail art has been one of the big street fashion trends in Japan recently and the NailSticks cleverly replicate that unique, vivid precious stone look on the end of a natural wooden chopstick. These NailSticks are a new fashion eating utensil for girls who value expressing their tastes and style even at mealtimes.

3.4 Stitch Chopsticks

Stitching chopsticks are made by differenct wood stitching them together.

3.5 Lacquer Chopsticks

China Fuzhou Lacquer Chopsticks Craftsmanship is Fujian province's intangible cultural heritage.

3.6 Carbonized Chopsticks

Carbonized bamboo chopsticks are made of carbonized bamboo. They are lacquered and printed all kinds of patterns. Most of them have carved grooved rings around the tip to keep anti-slip. The color of carbonized bamboo chopsticks is darker than natural bamboo chopsticks, not easy to go moldy.

4. Chopsticks of different USES

4.1 Disposable chopsticks

The Reusable Chopsticks are perhaps the result of environmental awareness. These chopsticks are mainly made up of bamboo or wooden deep processing.

Disposable chopsticks, also called one-off chopsticks, one-time chopsticks, can be made of wood or bamboo. Most disposable chopsticks are made of bamboo because bamboo is a renewable and fast-growing material.

Disposable chopsticks can be classified according to their shape: tensoge disposable chopsticks, round disposable chopsticks, flat disposable chopsticks. Tensoge disposable chopsticks are including carbonized, natural, bleached colors, twin and separated tensoge disposable chopsticks. Round disposable chopsticks are including round disposable chopsticks with a knot and without a knot.

Disposable chopsticks

4.2 Portable chopsticks

Reusability — You don’t end up wasting a bunch of disposable plasticware everywhere you go.

Sanitation — You don’t have to worry about bacteria from restaurant/vendor utensils that may not be very well-washed.

These portable, collapsible chopsticks are a pretty good solution. When fully extended, they function like typical chopsticks, but when you’re finished eating (and after cleaning them off), the plastic tips collapse into the stainless steel handles. The included stand doubles as a clip to hold them together while they’re collapsed, and the whole thing can be tossed into a small bag pocket or wherever else you like.

4.3 Kid’s chopsticks

Chopsticks for kids in a variety of fun and colorful styles. These child chopsticks are for smaller hands and are between 5.5 to 6.5 inches long. Kid’s chopsticks are also the perfect size for hair sticks.

Children’s training chopsticks help your child learn to use chopsticks. Most training chopsticks have removable assists, allowing the chopsticks to be used as normal, un-aided chopsticks, and for easy cleaning. Most are dishwasher safe.

4.4 Couple chopsticks

We more frequently give chopsticks as a present for weddings or to lovers. Parents, relatives, and friends express the hope that the newly married couple will “永不分离 (yŏng bù fēnlí) never part from each other” by sending them a pair of chopsticks.

Furthermore, they expect the newly-married couple to “快快生子(kuàikuài shēng zǐ) give birth to a baby as soon as possible.” Chopsticks are also a good choice as a token of love between lovers. A pair of chopsticks represents the wish of “成双成对 (chéngshuāng chéngduì) living as a couple forever” in Chinese culture.

4.5 Chopsticks Gift Sets

Can you use chopsticks? You may think it’s easy to use chopsticks to eat a meal. However, do you know how to give them as a present?In Chinese culture, apart from being used to eat meals, chopsticks can also be given as a blessing or present.

As a gift “筷子 (kuàizi)” represent “快乐 (kuàilè) happiness” in Chinese culture. During a festival or birthday, Chinese people like to give pairs of chopsticks to friends or relatives; it means that they are giving them “happiness.”

Besides friends and relatives, Chinese people also send pairs of chopsticks to their business partners. Since chopsticks should be used in pairs, in Chinese culture, it stands for close “合作 (hézuò) cooperation” between two parties in the business. However, do remember not to give silver chopsticks to your partners. If you do, they will think you distrust them.

4.6 Restaurant Chopsticks

Restaurant chopsticks are safe for dishwashers. Metal, stainless steel, plastic, and melamine are all generally machine washable chopsticks. Wood and bamboo chopsticks should not be washed in a dishwasher.

4.7 Household chopsticks

Wooden chopsticks are traditional in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. The Chinese styled wooden chopsticks are good choices for the kitchen. The material of totally natural heath wood is durable and environment-friendly. We suggest hand wash. 9.8 inch / 25cm long chopsticks make it easy to dig into a delicious cuisine without a splash. The color brown looks elegant and natural.

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