Chopsticks are used Mostly in East and Southeast Asia. It is an Asian eating utensil, they are shaped pairs of equal length and size which are used for eating food. Chopsticks originated in China and later it became popular in various parts of Asia. Asian food is particularly eaten from chopsticks, especially Asian food.
Chopsticks are long sticks with a smooth finish used as an extension for fingers to pick up food. They are traditionally made from wood, bamboo metal, ivory and ceramics. In modern days it is easily available at different stores made from different materials such as plastic, stainless steel and even titanium
You can see variety of chopsticks they are sleek pointed design very common to all type of people using chopsticks but there is a slight difference in the design which helps you to understand that different types of chopsticks are used in different countries the Chinese people use longer chopsticks than other countries and they are made of wood the top is rounded and Blunt the Japanese people use shorter wooden version of the Chopstick. Korean people use chopsticks that are shorter and usually made from wood, plastic or metal.
You will be Amazed to learn that holding the right pair of chopsticks in the right way is actually healthy for your muscles and joints. It requires 50 muscles and joints of fingers and shoulder to get engaged with chopsticks to learn the right technique.
Chopsticks are used as utensils for eating and once you learn the perfect technique to hold it you can eat Asian food easily with it but it requires some time to learn the art. Let’s learn further in the article to know how to hold chopsticks.
Choosing the right pair of chopsticks
Before learning how to hold chopsticks you must learn to choose the right pair as there are several factors associated with a nice pair of chopsticks. Selection depends on its sze type of material, its tip and the cultural importance of each chopstick. Some chopsticks are easy to hold and you need to find the right pair for you. If you know the technique, you can use any chopstick to eat food.
There are different types of materials that chopsticks are made from bamboo, wood, metal, bones, plastic, porcelain and ivory. A chopstick can be available from a few dollars to some 100 hundred dollars depending on its size and material.
Wooden chopsticks are considered best to use as they are natural conductor of heat and is perfect for consuming freshly prepared meals, bamboo chopsticks are way expensive than wood chopsticks same way metal chopsticks are expensive but they are heavy and often slippery to use; consider using wooden or bamboo chopsticks. In the modern period you can find the plastic chopsticks available in the market as they are cost effective, easy to clean and are largely used in low-end restaurants.
How to hold chopsticks properly
Holding chopsticks takes practice if you are beginner then follow the below mentioned tips to learn how to hold chopsticks properly let’s read further to know the steps:
- First relax yourself, you are not on a war front. Be easy, just hold one chopstick between your thumb and index finger, resting it on your ring finger.
- Now hold the second chopstick between your thumb and middle finger, using your index finger to maintain the stability.
- Do not hold them too tightly or make your fingers stiff, keep your fingers relaxed and handle them easily.
- Now move the first chopstick with the help of fingers.
- Align the tips of the chopsticks.
- Close the tips of the chopsticks and this is the proper way to hold chopsticks.
Practice makes the man perfect to try to pick peas, beans, sushi, cheese, dumplings and other food items. Consistency, determination, and effort are the key to improving your skills, now you can eat Asian food with full confidence.
How can you eat with chopsticks?
Firstly gather your proper pair of chopsticks and food to eat with it, now you can start your learning of how to eat with chopsticks.
It’s an art to eat with chopsticks. Just hold it with your dominant hand and rest one stick between your pointer and middle finger and the thumb. There shouldn’t be any movement from the thumb . Let it be stationary when you move the chopsticks. Now place the second chopstick between your thumb and your palm, that’s where it should be.
Now try to pick your food with the use of Chopsticks in a few days you will be eating like a pro and you will have your own preferred way of holding the chopsticks.
How to move chopsticks
Holding and moving of chopsticks are two techniques so remember that the second stick resting on your thumb and palm must remain stationary and the top stick must be moved to grab a piece of cheese, peas, or dumplings.
What’s the difference between Japanese and Chinese chopstick etiquette
Japan and China has two different cultures, but one thing is common that is the use of chopsticks they follow different etiquettes while using them
Japanese people are polite and humble; they follow their rules with determination, polite manners are the most valued etiquette in Japan and making use of chopsticks correctly, when you are out in Japan for a fancy meal people respect your ability to use them correctly.
In Japan, you must lay your chopsticks on rest after using them. These are ceramic or wooden rectangles that restaurants provide. After using them, lay them politely on rest and do not practice any irresistible manner with chopsticks. Whenever you order a meal in any Japanese restaurant you will alway be served with a chopstick, it’s a common tableware.
Chopsticks have occupied an important place in Japanese culture, from birth to death. The “Okuizome” ceremony is held in Japanese culture when a child is 100 days old. Prayers are offered so that the child will never go hungry in life, it also involves chopsticks as the important tool to perform the ceremony. Chopsticks are also used in Japanese funerals as well as in dishes offered to the Buddha.
Chopsticks have an old cultural importance in China. It is the main utensil used in China while cooking and consuming meals. Chinese mind the appropriate use of chopsticks. In China, Chinese people lay chopsticks across a bowl when you have finished consuming a meal. Chinese chopsticks are 9 to 10 inches long and have a rectangular shape with a blunt and on the end there is a square that symbolizes the earth.
There’s one thing common in Japanese and Chinese etiquette chopsticks must not be placed on the table when eating. The Chinese people mind if chopsticks are not used properly playing with chopsticks is considered bad manners and vulgar in China.
In China, it is considered a poor attitude to tap chopsticks on the bowls as beggars do it to make the noise to seek attention
How to hold a chopstick correctly
pick the appropriate chopsticks: while picking up the chopstick make sure you have the right size, too big or small chopstick for your hands can make it difficult for you to hold them properly. Choose chopsticks that fit well in your hand. Practice picking up small objects this will refine your firmness and grip over the chopsticks first try to pick small food then move to larger ones
- Grab the first chopstick about from the narrow end, like holding a pencil with the index finger, middle finger, and tip of your thumb.
- Place the second chopstick from the bottom. The second chopstick must be between the middle finger and ring finger and held firmly in place. Keep the chopstick aligned that must make the cross as it will help you to pick the food
Practice the above-mentioned tip for how to hold chopsticks perfectly, in a few practice sessions you will be a skilled user and will enjoy your Chinese meal at any fancy restaurant.
Chopsticks in modern times
With the changing era, things have changed a lot from their original version to the enhanced modern version Chopsticks have been in use since 1200 B.C. and with the passing time its various fancy versions evolved. They are available in various materials from bamboo and wood to plastic and metals. From being just a common tableware, it has occupied a place in people’s life. Many people love to keep an exquisite collection of chopsticks as it is one of the most elegant utensils; chopstick pairs are used to gift your friends and relatives. In China their is special meaning of chopsticks that is read as ‘kuaizi’, which means to have sons soon, so a newly-married couple will be very happy to accept chopsticks as their wedding gift
Skillful craftsmen paint chopsticks with flowers and scenery that make them look attractive and beautiful. There are several other factors that have evolved in modern times i.e regular use of chopsticks helps in improving memory, increases finger movement and it is useful in improving skills.
How to use chopsticks
Eating Chinese food is great but when you eat them with a fork you are not doing any justice to the food. You can learn how to use chopsticks in a few steps, only your fingers will be trained and you will be eating flawlessly from plate to mouth.
Just follow the instructions
- Place the first chopstick on your middle finger and thumb and firmly hold the grip to keep your hand stable. Let the wide end of the chopstick rest on the part where your thumb and index finger connect. Allow the narrow part of the chopsticks to rest on your ring finger, and hold it in place with the tip of your middle finger.
- Grab the second chopstick and place it between the index finger and your thumb now try Adjust your grip as per your comfort. Make sure the narrow tips of the chopsticks are even with each other to prevent them from crossing and making them able to pinch the food.
- You don’t need to juggle enough with your sticks to keep your hand firm and steady, chopsticks must be steady when you are trying to pick the food. Maintain the balance of sticks: hold the first chopstick steady and move the second by moving the tip of your index finger up and down while the thumb remains relatively steady.
- While learning how to use chopsticks, remember that you must not make a cross as it will make it difficult to pick up food. Just practice opening and closing the chopsticks.
- Pick up the food gently if you find it unstable, then put it down and try again.
Etiquette in using chopsticks
Chopsticks are used in Asian countries, they can vary in size, shape, color and beliefs, but one thing that is quite common are rules and etiquette of using chopsticks
- It’s strictly not allowed to play with chopsticks. It is marked as bad manners.
- you cannot move bowls or plates with chopsticks.
- Chopsticks are not used to share with dishes.
- In many traditions chopsticks hold an important place and that’s why it is not used to poke the food or pierce the food.
- Chopsticks should not be left standing vertically in a bowl of rice or other food. Any stick-like object pointing upward resembles the incense sticks that some Asians use as offerings to deceased family members; certain funeral rites designate offerings of food to the dead using standing chopsticks.
- 6. It is poor etiquette to tap chopsticks on the edge of one’s bowl.
- There are chopsticks of different colors from individuals to drive food from a serving dish to a bowl for hygiene purpose, you cannot eat directly from the serving bowls and these chopsticks remain in the serving dish only after everyone is being served.
- Chopsticks should not be in your mouth for too long. It is considered bad manners.
There are several types of chopsticks but there are not many ways to hold chopsticks stick to one and create room for flexibility. You just need practice to hold chopsticks perfectly.
