Flowing noodles chopstick challenge. Video credits: matsumtn via YouTube.com

Hey bitsters! I am up again for another blog about a specific utensil which originated in Asia. I was scrolling through social media last night and I bumped into this specific Flowing Noodles Chopstick challenge. To be honest, I am not good with using chopsticks. My colleagues had given me two pairs of it when he visited Japan a few months ago but I not use it that often because it gives me a hard time while eating.

Today, I thought I should write about this amazing utensil because it is just worth the time researching. I want to also learn more about it and writing a blog will help me with the research, aside from being able to learn about it, I will also be able to write a new blog entry for bitLanders, yeah talking about hitting two birds with one stone!

I would like to start with knowing the history of chopsticks then the kinds of chopsticks as well as its uses.

What are Chopsticks?

I guess I don't have to explain this further, everyone might be aware what a chopstick is because Asian restaurants are already available all over the entire world and these are definitely also available in the variety of supermarkets now a days.

Image credits: www.thoughtco.com

But for the benefit of those whoever don't have an idea what this is, let me refer you to a wikipedia information about this:

Chopsticks are shaped pairs of equal-length sticks that have been used as the traditional ancient kitchen and eating utensils in virtually all of East Asia for over 6000 years.

Information reference: wikipedia.org

History of Chopsticks

Image credits: forbiddenplanet.com

If you are someone like me who isn't confident enough with using chopsticks because I have no proper training on using one plus I seldom use these kinds of utensils, then don't worry because there are others who feel the same. Even those who are living in China gets their own proper training though so they can use this to its full extent.

This section, I would like to talk about the history of the said utensil. Based on my research. While the original origin was not really known, there were evidences of these chopsticks found in the tombs of ancient Chinese. Bronze and silver kinds were among those which were found.

Image credits: www.tofugu.com

The Chinese word for chopsticks (kuaizi) sounds the same as the word for fast (kuai). During the colonial days people would tell their Chinese servants or rickshaw drivers such things as "Come along now, chop chop." meaning "go faster". So 'kuaizi' become known as 'chop chop sticks'. Over time one of the 'chops' was dropped.

Information reference: David White via www.quora.com

The chopsticks were mainly used for cooking, stirring the fire, serving or seizing bits of food, and not as eating utensils back in at least 1200 B.C., and by A.D. 500 by none other than the Chinese citizens. They are perfect for cooking as they can reach to deeper portions of cooking containers.

It was not until A.D. 400 that people began eating with the utensils because they had been facing this issue of scarcity and the ancient Chinese began chopping their food into little bit pieces so it can be cooked easily thus to save up fuel. Then these chopsticks were just perfect utensils to eat these tiny food pieces.

Image credits:/food-hacks.wonderhowto.com

Aside from that, Confucious, the Chinese philosopher who is very famous in Chinese history came up with the idea that knives in the tables signify violence and tremor to animals. He was a vegetarian though.

That being said, the uses of knives, fork and spoon became almost obsolete in the Chinese culture and chopsticks were the main utensils to be used.

Kinds of Chopsticks

Mos common chopsticks were those I can usually see in restaurants like Chowking, and Tokyo Joe. There are lots of Chinese cuisine restaurants in Cebu as well as in the different part of the country. While chopsticks originated in China, it is also evident that this utensils were also being adapted in the neighboring countries too.

Image credits: www.tofugu.com

But chopsticks vary in every region that it has been used. As mentioned in the history part, the original chopsticks were bronze found in the grave of ancient Chinese.

Today, there are lots of kinds of chopsticks. The list below are just a few of them and of which are being embraced by the world. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages at the same time.

Image credits: www.aliexpress.com

1. Silver chopsticks for the Rich.

These silver chopsticks were usually used by the upper class type of family in China. They were used ever since because they change in color if it touches anything that is poisonous, that's what they believe in.

However, since silver chopsticks are quite expensive, only a few these days are using them.

2. Plastic and colorful for re-usability and portability.

Image credits: www.thechildmindingshop.co.uk

With the booming business of plastics, Chopsticks were also being mass manufactured. These types of chopsticks were distributed all over the world through Japanese and Chinese stores.

One of the famous seller of these types is the Daiso dollar store.

3. Wooden chopsticks.

These types are alternative to bamboos. They have good grip and are widely used as well as disposables. However, there have been issues with the usage of this type as it has contributed to the deforestation.

As for this case, I'd like you to take part in the Querlo chat bot below which talks about the cost in planting a tree:

4. Bamboo chopsticks.

These are the most appropriate types of all the kinds of chopsticks. They are the first to be used as materials and mainly used as disposables as well. Most Chinese use this type.

Image credits: /www.aliexpress.com 

This has a very good grip too and are eco-friendly plus they don't contain any kind of pesticides and other harmful materials in it.

Bonus Facts

Image credits: health.usnews.com

The usage of chopsticks vary in every region and so as their etiquette. For the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and Vietnamese culture, certain chopstick habits may mean different to them so we out to learn what are the do's and don't in this terms. Here are also some bonus facts about chopsticks:

Chinese Etiquette

It's poor etiquette to:

♦ Spear your food with your chopsticks.

♦ Dig around in your food for a particular item. This is referred to as "digging your grave" and is considered extremely rude.

♦ Tap your chopsticks on the edge of your bowl. This is what beggars do to attract attention.

♦ Children to hold their chopsticks incorrectly, as this will reflect poorly on the parents.

Image credits: pinkpangea.com

Japanese Etiquette

It's poor etiquette to:

♦ Cross your chopsticks on the table.

♦ Stick your chopsticks vertically in rice, as this is a practise reserved for funerals.

♦ Transfer food from your chopsticks to another persons.

Taiwanese Etiquette

It's poor etiquette to:

♦ Bite on your chopsticks or to let them linger in your mouth for too long.

♦ Use your chopsticks to pick up contents from a soup bowl.

♦ Place your chopsticks on the table. You should either use a chopstick rest or place them across the top of your bowl.

Korean Etiquette

It's poor etiquette to:

♦ Pick up your utensils before your elders.

♦ Brings your bowl closer to your mouth to eat.

♦ Use chopsticks to eat rice unless you're someone considered lower class. Spoons should be used instead.

Vietnamese Etiquette

It's poor etiquette to:

♦ Place you chopsticks in the shape of a V once you've finished eating. This is considered to be a bad omen.

♦ Pick up food directly from the table and eat it. The item should be placed in your own bowl first.

♦ Place your chopsticks in your mouth whilst choosing food.

Information reference: gizmodo.com

Video credits: For Us Foodies via YouTube.com

Now we have learned a lot about chopstick's origin and history. The next time you dine at a Chinese or Japanese restaurant or perhaps a Korean one, make sure to try using the chopsticks instead.

By using it you'll remember this blog and recall the reasons why chopsticks were used in the first place. Perhaps you might want to buy a reusable one so you can practice your chopstick skills at home! By the way, there are also chopsticks sold with builtin trainers! You might consider that instead.

Best regards,
Jean Beltran-Figues