How old are chopsticks?

Asians have been using chopsticks for about 5 years! Where did eating with chopsticks originate? It's said to date back to 3 BC, when Asians cooked food in large vessels. Using two sticks, they would scoop out pieces of food to taste before it was fully cooked. Later, as populations grew, people suffered from food shortages. Portions were limited, and chopsticks were perfect for scooping up small pieces of food.

This method of eating was also popularized by Confucius, a self-proclaimed vegetarian. Using a knife while eating was clearly associated with slaughter and brutality, so he encouraged his compatriots to use chopsticks. Furthermore, individual pieces of food were so small that using a knife was no longer necessary.

What is the difference between Chinese and Japanese chopsticks?

Chinese chopsticks, or kuai-zi, which translates to "fast companions," are 23-25 ​​cm long. They are rectangular and taper towards a blunt end. Japanese chopsticks, or hashi, are different in appearance. They are rounded and shorter than Chinese chopsticks, ranging from 18 to 20 cm in length. Initially, Japanese chopsticks were made from a single piece of bamboo. The sticks were joined at the top with a piece of bamboo, giving them a more tong-like shape. Later, individual chopsticks were made.

Additionally, the Japanese also use larger chopsticks called saibashi, which are 30 to 40 cm long. Chopsticks of this length are used for food preparation – cooking and frying – and are also used by restaurant staff when serving food.

What are chopsticks made of?

They are most often made of bamboo. But of course, depending on your budget, you can also purchase chopsticks made of more expensive materials – cedarwood, sandalwood, or porcelain, richly decorated with lettering or original ornaments, or made of gold or silver. Silver chopsticks were used at the imperial court. Why? In dynastic times, it was believed that silver changed color and turned black when exposed to poison.

Of course, the most popular material is bamboo. Why? In Asian countries, bamboo is widely available and inexpensive. Furthermore, it's heat-resistant, and eating it doesn't leave any aftertaste.

How do you even use chopsticks?

Eating with chopsticks takes some practice and skill. Where should you start? Holding them correctly. 😉

Insert the first chopstick, holding it between your thumb and ring finger. This chopstick remains stationary at all times. Hold the second chopstick exactly as you would a pencil or pen. You can move this chopstick freely. Align the chopsticks and practice thoroughly.

Practice makes perfect, but mistakes are hard to avoid…

Even experienced chopstick users sometimes make mistakes. Especially since there are so many ways to do it. The Japanese have specific names for most of them. What are the most common mistakes when eating with chopsticks?

If you're impatient and food keeps falling off your chopsticks, don't spear it! Tsuki-bashi, or spearing food onto a chopstick to make it easier to eat, is one of the most common mistakes made by beginners. Also remember not to stick your chopsticks into a bowl of rice. This behavior signifies an offering to the ancestors—known as hotoke-bashi in Japanese. Licking your chopsticks (neburi-bashi), stirring soup with chopsticks (saguri-bashi), or waving your chopsticks over the dish while choosing a dish to try (mayoi-bashi) are also considered bad manners. In Japan, it's considered rude to hold the bowl to your mouth and eat leftovers with chopsticks, known as kaki-bashi. Interestingly, this behavior is completely normal in China. When finishing a meal in Japan, don't forget to place your chopsticks on a special rest (hashioki). Leaving your chopsticks on the plate after eating (hotoke-bashi) is a very common mistake.

What should you pay attention to when eating with chopsticks?    

Besides the fact that breaking and crossing chopsticks brings bad luck, there are several other behaviors that should be avoided. We've already discussed not sticking chopsticks into a bowl of rice. Remember not to drop or throw chopsticks on the floor (Japanese: otoshibashi). The Chinese believe that such behavior disturbs the peace of the ancestors and offends them. However, if this happens to you, remember to apologize to your ancestors when picking them up. When eating, don't look for the best bits in the dish. Mi zhu pao fen – as this behavior is called in China – means digging a grave with chopsticks. It's also important not to pass food directly from chopstick to chopstick. In Japan, this behavior is associated with funeral rituals.