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What are Chinese Chopsticks?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Some Westerners are surprised to learn that different Asian nations have different styles of chopsticks. Chinese chopsticks are chopsticks made in the Chinese style, and they are the primary type of chopstick used in China. This style is also commonly found around the world, with many people using Chinese chopsticks for all sorts of Asian cuisine, rather than differentiating between the different styles of chopstick. Chinese markets carry Chinese chopsticks, and stores which carry more general Asian cooking supplies often have an array of chopstick styles to choose from, including Chinese designs.
The Chinese appear to have invented the chopstick, with the concept spreading outwards from China to places like Korea, Thailand, and Japan. The business end of Chinese chopsticks is rounded and blunted, while the end held in the hand is squared off. This distinctive design is unique to Chinese chopsticks. Chinese chopsticks are also classically rather long, with a length of around 10 inches (25 centimeters) on average.
In China, distinctions are made between chopsticks used for cooking, and chopsticks used for eating. Cooking chopsticks are quite long, so that they can be used to stir dishes in deep pots and pans. These extra-long chopsticks can also be used for deep frying, with the cook manipulating deep fried foods with the chopsticks. They are classically made from unfinished wood or metal so that they do not react with the food, and they may be used singly or in pairs.
Eating chopsticks are shorter than cooking chopsticks, and they may be decorated to make them more aesthetically interesting. Unfinished wood is a traditional material for Chinese chopsticks, but they can also be made from porcelain, jade, stainless steel, and other materials. In some regions, people differentiate between longer “banquet-style” chopsticks which can be used to pluck food from shared bowls in the middle of a table, and shorter personal chopsticks, which tend to be a little easier to handle.
Some Chinese chopsticks are quite ornate, with lacquer, inlay, or carved figures at the top of the chopsticks for formal dining. Special materials like jade may be used for formal occasions or given as gifts, with people reserving plain wooden chopsticks for every day use. As in many other cultures which use chopsticks, a chopstick rest is usually provided for the purpose of setting chopsticks down neatly on the table. Chopstick rests can be made from a variety of materials including wood, stone, and porcelain.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
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![Chopsticks have been the traditional eating utensils of many Asian countries for hundreds of years.]()
By: Karramba ProductionChopsticks have been the traditional eating utensils of many Asian countries for hundreds of years. -
![Chopsticks are widely used throughout China.]()
By: pavalenaChopsticks are widely used throughout China.
Discussion Comments
The Chinese were using chopsticks long before forks or spoons had ever been invented. The Chinese were a lot more civilized thousands of years before westerners.
We were still using our hands to eat with & just had knives on the table to cut of meat from whole roasted animals.
The Chinese were very clever and realized that by cutting up food into small mouth size chunks that you could cook it much quicker and use less wood on the fire. Also, eating very hot food with your hands was not easy, but by getting some bamboo (which in China they have plenty of) they could easily make their own eating utensils and not burn their hands. They were free, easy, could be replaced when they wore out and most important, they didn't conduct heat.
I am English and am married to a Chinese girl. I use chopsticks all the time. When you are used to them and you don't have to cut up food anyway, then it is very easy to use them and there is no need to have a knife and fork.
OK, here is a question that I have always wanted to ask but have been too embarrassed to say out loud. I'm using this forum to get it off of my chest.
Why do the Chinese use chopsticks? Aren't forks so much better, even when you are eating Chinese dishes? I understand that culture runs deep but I don't know how you could keep on using those clumsy chopsticks where there is an easier way.
For years I never used chopsticks. I would go to Asian restaurants and get Chinese take out but the chopsticks always went unused.
Then I began dating a girl who had grown up in China and she taught me to use them properly. Once you get the technique down there are really pretty easy to use and not nearly as cumbersome and unwieldy as they seem to a novice.
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