All about quality chopsticks. Have you ever wondered how chopsticks
are made and the difference between a simple pair of chopsticks and nice
special pair? This simple guide will tell you all about quality
chopsticks.
Chopsticks are available in several levels of quality
and craftsmanship from lowly disposable chopsticks, hardworking everyday
chopsticks and artisan or luxury chopsticks.
Disposable Chopsticks
Disposable
chopsticks are made in several Asian countries with The nicest
disposable chopsticks are made in Japan to high standards of quality and
finish. China produces the most of the world's disposable chopsticks,
producing over 80 billion pairs each year.
Disposable chopsticks are typically machine mass produced though in
some poorer countries there are village disposable chopstick factories
where chopsticks are cut and produced by hand.
Bamboo
is the most common material used for disposable chopsticks as it is
fast growing and has a straight grain, however wood chopsticks account
for almost half of the production consume millions of trees each year.
Recently
toxins in disposable chopsticks
have come to light as sometimes sulfur, hydrogen peroxide or sodium
sulfite are used in excessive amounts as a mold inhibitor even though
they are regulated by China's government. We at Everything Chopsticks
prefer people take their own non-disposable chopsticks when eating out
or frequent restaurants that use non-disposable chopsticks.
Everyday Chopsticks
Everyday
chopsticks are chopsticks manufactured and finished so they will last
for several years under normal everyday use. Everyday chopsticks are
made of bamboo, wood, plastic and metal. They are typically low cost -
about $1-$2 a pair for Chinese made chopsticks and $3-$8 a pair for
Japanese made chopsticks.
Bamboo and wood chopsticks will have a
paint finish made of several layers. Usually they will incorporate a
design applied like a decal prior to the final clear coat. Bamboo and
wood chopsticks should be washed by hand as detergents and machine
washing will degrade the finish.
Chinese produced everyday chopsticks come in a few levels of quality from Domestic to
Japan Number One.
The quality of base material, number and quality of paint layers, and
quality of inspection determine the difference and price. At Everything
Chopsticks we only sell Japan Number One quality everyday chopsticks
from China. Japan Number One chopsticks are a good and generally solid
chopstick.
Japanese manufactured everyday chopsticks
are of even better quality, with finer base wood, more layers of paint
with better attention to sanding and finishing between coats and nicer
decal or paint designs. This results in a superior quality chopstick
that will last longer, look better and is worth the extra cost.
Besides painted wood or bamboo chopsticks there are increasing numbers of plastic and metal chopsticks.
Plastic chopsticks from China are inexpensive and are generally not as nice as those made in Japan, where the attention to detail and finish produces a better chopstick. Metal chopsticks are almost always made of stainless steel and produced in China or Korea.
They are typically excellent and will last a lifetime with proper care.
Both plastic and metal chopsticks usually can be washed in a
dishwasher.
Artisan and Luxury Chopsticks
Beyond
everyday chopsticks are chopsticks made in smaller quantities using
manufacturing techniques requiring more skill and production time.
Although it is possible to find some unique and luxury oriented
chopsticks from China, Japanese produced artisan chopsticks take quality
chopsticks to higher levels.
These chopsticks may be made of
traditional lacquers, painted 20 to 100 layers thick, carved and shaped
to reveal the beautiful colors and designs. These are called
Wakasa chopsticks. Another artisan chopstick applies traditional brocade fabric to the handles of chopsticks called Nishijin. Similar of sorts is the application of handmade Washi
paper onto chopstick handles. These Japanese artisan chopstick
manufacturing techniques have been perfected over centuries and are
threatening to become endangered as mass production in China erodes
market share and young people in Japan are less inclined to work in
small shops learning the trade.
Please visit
Everything Chopsticks and see all the beautiful chopsticks.