Chinese Food - Eating With Chopsticks

Originating in Asia, chopsticks have been in use for over five thousand years. The first chopsticks grew out of the standard cooking methods of the time. Food was simmered in large pots. Game was butchered in the field, which usually meant it came to the pot with a lot of leaves and other debris on the meat. This vegetation was difficult to sift through and remove.  Someone decided to try twigs and sticks of various sizes to pick out any loose undesirable  vegetation and stones.  As populations grew, it became more efficient when food was cooked quickly. The technique of chopping meat into small slices or chunks allowed for quicker cooking. With the sticks and twigs already being used to fish out debris, it was convenient to use them as instruments for eating as well.

During the middle ages, superstition was part of daily life and silver chopsticks were thought to prevent poisoning by enemies. It was believed that a poisonous substance that came in contact with silver would turn the silver a different color. Some one probably had an experience similar to what happens when you leave a silver knife sitting out with mayonnaise on it. 

It is rumored that Confucius heavily influenced the popular use of chopsticks. A vegetarian, Confucius said knives would only serve as a reminder of slaughterhouse techniques. He claimed that such instruments were far too violent and anti-life to be used as an instrument of eating.

The use of chopsticks is customary in China, Vietnam, Japan and Korea. People in other areas of Asia, including Thailand, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines traditionally eat with their hands.

Chopsticks have evolved from simple sticks and twigs found on the jungle floor to elaborate carved instruments constructed from a wide variety of materials, ranging from expensive woods, precious metals, ivory, bone and of course, plastic. They're most commonly made of bamboo, which can be decorated in many ways. They may be embossed,  decorated with calligraphy, intricately carved or embellished with jewels. Another commonly used everyday chopstick is made of aluminum,   manufactured from recycled cans. These are popular for their environmentally friendly aspect and are economical. They're easy to clean, and can replaced very cheaply.

Children's chopsticks differ from the adult versions. They're designed to be more entertaining and fun, while being especially smooth with a lot of attention to safety. In modern day Asia, plastic chopsticks with children's themes are commonplace. Cartoon characters, action figures and movie themes offer a fun view at mealtime.

In America, a newer development in the chopstick market is the so-called “forkchops”, which some Chinese find offensive at the table. Some restaurants offer this double-duty instrument for the benefit of

Western diners. The “forkchop” has a fork and knife on one end, and the traditional chopstick on the other. Very efficient!