Episode 208 - The BEST Kitchen/ Eating Gadget of all times

Now, what would be the BEST of the BEST Kitchen/ Eating gadget of all? For me, it would be the CHOPSTICKS!!! I just can't leave without them! I've been using it since the tender age of 5, I assume. I was brought up with a lot of Chinese influence and one of the biggest influence is the use of Chopsticks for my meals. I can tell you honestly that I wouldn't feel comfortable using a fork to eat my noodles and sometimes to cook my meals!

For some, it is pretty hard to use. Especially when you need to kind of balance and hold 2 slim sticks with your fingers but once you get a hang of it, it would be very much fun and you can actually find the benefits of using them instead of the normal eating utensils, the fork and spoon.

Background on Chopsticks

Chopsticks consist of 2 equal-length sticks, which are small and tapered at the end.

Traditionally, they are used in most Asian countries especially among the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Taiwanese and the Vietnamnese.

They are believed to be originated in Ancient China and can be made of different types of materials such as Stainless steel/Metal, Wood, Ivory, Plastic and also Bones.

Why are they called "Chopsticks"?

The word was derived from Chinese pidgin English, a pidgin in which "chop, chop" means quickly. Hence, people can use these sticks to quickly pick up pieces of food.

How to use Chopsticks?

The pair of sticks are usually maneuvered with one hand in between the thumb and fingers.

This links to a Video which shows you HOW TO USE CHOPSTICKS:

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-use-chopsticks-5

Some facts on the Oh-SO-Cool-Chopsticks:

- Chopsticks are usually used (except in Korea) as means for sweeping rice and other pieces of food into the mouth directly from the bowl. Koreans consider it uncultured and rude to eat rice with chopsticks by picking up the rice bowl and bringing it closer to one's mouth. Dishes are to be left on the table and a spoon and chopsticks used accordingly.
- Chopsticks are traditionally held in the right hand only, even by lefthanded people. Some consider left-handed chopstick use as improper etiquette!

- Some chopstick designs have carved rings encircling the tips to help in grasping larger pieces of food.

- Very long chopsticks, usually about 30 or 40 centimeters, tend to be used for cooking, especially for deep frying foods.

- Blunt tapered chopsticks provide more surface area for holding food and for pushing rice into the mouth. Pointed tapered chopsticks allow for easier manipulation of food and for picking out bones from whole cooked fish.

- Chopsticks are not used to make noise, to draw attention, or to gesticulate. Playing with chopsticks is considered bad mannered and vulgar.

- Traditionally, Chopsticks shall not be used to pierce or stab food.

Chopsticks for "Dummies"

Disposable Bamboo Chopsticks

The Malays also have a "Chopstick" - like gadget used to enjoy their traditional food "Ambuyat". "Ambuyat" is a sticky and starchy glue like food eaten with dips during meals for the Malays. The stick is usually made of Bamboo and are only split at one end where it is used to roll up the starchy "Ambuyat" and attached or not cut through at the other end.

Malay "Chopsticks" for "Ambuyat"

However, Chopsticks are also found to have some Environmental and Health impacts to our society. It was found that 45 billion of pairs of disposable chopsticks are disposed annually in China alone. This equals to around 25 million fully grown trees in a year. Thus, it's best to use non-disposable chopsticks such as the metal types which are easily washed and sterilised with hot water without ruining them. It is also said that people can be prone to get osteoarthritis in the hand for prolonged usage of chopsticks. '

Depite all that, I still feel that Chopsticks are a very unique and intelligent invention as an eating or cooking utensil!

So, the next time you cook or eat , use chopsticks! It's a challenge but you can see and feel the difference! :oD

Some text are from WIkipedia.com and Images are from Various Sites Searched on Google Images. Image of Ambuyat Chopsticks adapted from 1.bp.blogspot.com (hope he/she doesn't mind).