Chopsticks
By admin on 2015-01-29

As the origin of chopsticks, China is the first country in the world to use chopsticks and has a history of at least 3,000 years to have meals with chopsticks. Chopsticks seems quite simple with only two small and thin sticks, but it is in possession of many functions, such as picking, moving, nipping, mixing and digging; moreover, it is convenient for use and cheap in price. Besides, chopsticks are also unique tableware in the world. Anyone using chopsticks, no matter Chinese or foreigners, would without exception admire the inventor of chopsticks.   

Copsticks appeared in the Neolithic Age dated back to more than three thousand years ago. Due to its lightness and convenience, chopstick was introduced to our neighbor countries, such as Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, more than one thousand years ago. After the Ming and Qing Dynasties, chopsticks were introduced to Malaysia, Singapore and etc.. The appearance of chopsticks is not only a revolution of Chinese cuisine culture, but also a civilization symbol of human beings. The chopsticks have played a promoting role in the development of the cuisine techniques. Cold and dressed dish, noodles, Shanxi Fish, Instant-Boiled Mutton, Candied Floss Apple and others dishes suitable for using chopsticks also come into being. It can be said as the earliest chopsticks revolution of China’s cuisine culture to eat with chopsticks other than eating through hand grasping.

The most primitive chopsticks are made of bamboo, so the chopsticks most frequently used by people are also bamboo chopsticks. Meanwhile, the purple bamboo chopsticks and Xiangfei bamboo chopsticks are also the rare varieties, hard to be found at present. The Nanzhu chopsticks of Hunan can stand vertically in the clear water without falling and is called the magic chopsticks. The West Lake Tianzhu chopsticks of Hangzhou also turn out to be a special local product in this scenic spot. In addition, the silver chopsticks have the function of sterilizing, for scientists find that the sliver ion can sterilize most of the bacteria. The delicately made silver chopstick is very popular up to now, but people have regarded it as craftworks. The gold chopsticks with a high price are the symbol of royal and noble luxury. In addition, in China, there are also chopsticks made of ivory, bones of cattle, camel and deer as well as tortoise shell. Even some clever craftsmen skillfully connect the tooth bones and make them craftworks. A kind of jade chopsticks are also the precious ones and the gold chopsticks and jade chopsticks used by Empress Dowager Cixi are on display in the Precious Treasures Museum of the Imperial Palace.  

After experiencing numerous hardships and tests and upon baptism of the time, the chopsticks give off more lingering taste, and have gradually evolved to be an existing form with a combination of pragmatism and culture. Today, chopsticks are not only one kind of tableware, but also become a unique culture form, representing a kind of civilization, coming in front of us as a work of art for research, use, appreciation, collection and presenting as a gift.