An evidence for millions, a challenge for billions, chopsticks are full of history and many of us do not know their origins and how to use them.
Even though it is believed that chopsticks have been used for more than 6000 years, the first physical evidence has been dated in China during the reign of Shang Dynasty between 1766 and 1122 BC.
Chopsticks were not always the same as those we use today though. The first type was as simple as a couple of twigs.
Meanwhile, the earliest archaeological finding was made of bronze. They were excavated from the 3200 year old ruins of city Yen, near modern Anyang. However, the size, material and design of those early chopsticks suggest that they were not initially used as an eating utensil, but rather as a tool for cooking, stirring the fire, serving or seizing bits of food.
It is believed that the use of chopsticks for eating didn’t get popular before A.D. 400, and this for a very practical reason. Indeed, as China faced a population boom and struggled to feed everyone, they forced cooks to be mindful about their ingredients and fuel use. By chopping food into smaller pieces, it cooked faster, hence saving cooking fuel in the process. To eat these smaller bites, chopsticks quickly became the most practical utensils.
Porcelain chopsticks
Another reason for chopsticks spread across China was philosopher, poet and politician Confucius. Indeed, as a vegetarian, he was a fervent promoter of chopsticks. He believed that the use of sharp utensils was a reminder of the violence done to animals, and that they would remind eaters of the slaughterhouse. On top of this, he strongly believed that knives were the ultimate evocation for violence and warfare.
Nowadays, most of of Asian countries use chopsticks, with Japan and China being the largest users.
Now let’s quickly go through a few fun facts for us westerners travelling to Asian countries as chopsticks are subject to interesting table manners that could be very useful to know how to eat with chopsticks.
But First, how to handle them?
Then, it is also important for you to know how NOT to use them!
1) Don't leave your chopsticks stuck vertically in your food. That's associated with death
2) Don't stick food with your chopsticks. Accept the challenge and grab food instead.
3) Don't play with your chopsticks, wrap them on your plate like drumsticks, make noise or wave them in the air.
4) Don't use your chopsticks to push around dishes on the table.
5) Don't place your chopsticks directly on the table. Put them across your dish or on a rest.
6) Don't hold your chopsticks in your mouth with no hands, such as when passing a dish.
7) Don't point your chopsticks at other people around the table.
Personalised reclaimed wood engraved chopsticks by I-Rewood