How Using Chopsticks Has Evolved Over Time

Like the knife and fork, utensils that most people are familiar with using, chopsticks are also used by billions of people around the globe. Even though they are ancient inventions, they are still extremely popular today. In fact, one might even say that they are more popular since the world becomes increasingly globalized, and various cultures interact and become intertwined.

The Chinese came up with the chopsticks and have been using them since 1200 B.C. By 500 A.D., the utensils had spread across all of Asia. As more time passed, they evolved into fancier versions of themselves. Today, you can find various kinds of chopsticks from bamboo ones to reusable chopsticks. Keep reading to learn more about how these slender batons were first introduced, some of their uses, and how they have changed today.

Origins of the Chopstick

The ruins of Yin in the Henan province of China introduced the first set of chopsticks to the world. Archaeologists have come across several bronze sets in tombs all of which have been found to be capable of withstanding high temperatures. The earliest chopsticks were used primarily for cooking and it wasn’t until 400 A.D. that people started using them to eat. 

This change came about after the Chinese population boom which forced them to come up with more sustainable habits. They started to chop their food up into tiny pieces that needed less cooking fuel and could be easily picked up by chopsticks. Because the food was now bite-sized, they had no need for knives. Consequently, forks and knives became obsolete and chopsticks gained popularity.

The rising popularity can also be attributed to Confucious who believed that sharp utensils at the dinner table would remind people of the slaughterhouse and that chopsticks seemed like a more civilized alternative.

Chopsticks Styles Across Cultures

Gradually, various cultures started using chopsticks. Chinese chopsticks were mostly blunt at the end. When the Japanese decided to start using them, they came up with ones with sharp ends and were eight inches long for men and seven inches for women. 

In 1878, the Japanese came up with the first disposable set of chopsticks made of bamboo or wood. For wealthier people, they could be made of anything from jade, ivory, coral, brass, agate or silver. The silver ones were used by the uber-wealthy because they were known to corrode if they came in contact with poisoned food.

In South Korea, the chopsticks are flat and made of metal, which makes them ideal for barbecues and reusable.

The Etiquettes of Eating With Chopsticks

Certain regions believe that chopstick-holding preferences have meaning. For example, some people believe that holding chopsticks closer to the bottom means that the user will marry someone nearby. Another belief states that the further apart you hold your chopsticks, the further away from home you will travel.

Holding styles may vary, but chopsticks etiquette does not. Some ‘rules’ of eating with these utensils are that you should never eat from serving dishes, pierce food with them, place them straight on the table or point them at fellow diners.

How To Use Chopsticks

Many people may find eating with chopsticks difficult and high risk in terms of slip-ups and spills. According to studies, however, they can be useful in helping users maintain a healthy weight because of how slowly they force them to eat. They help control portion size and reduce the risk of experiencing heartburn.

To use a set, start by holding on like a pencil. Slide the other chopstick through the hole you create between the thumb and index finger you are using to hold the first one. Only move the first one and keep the other still. It becomes a lot easier with practice!