Other than being the 6th of February 2023, today is also National Chopsticks Day.
For about 1/4 of the world's population, chopsticks are the eating utensils of choice for every meal. They have been around for more than 5 000 years and originated in China. Virtually all Asian cultures use them.
Eating with chopsticks does take some getting used to because it requires some complex finger placement, but as the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Chopsticks are primarily made from wood, though they can also come in plastic. Even though you can use your hands, many people prefer to eat sushi the traditional way.
Not just pieces of wood
We've scoured the net and put together a list of fun facts about chopsticks:
For about 1/4 of the world's population, chopsticks are the eating utensils of choice for every meal. They have been around for more than 5 000 years and originated in China. Virtually all Asian cultures use them.
Eating with chopsticks does take some getting used to because it requires some complex finger placement, but as the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Chopsticks are primarily made from wood, though they can also come in plastic. Even though you can use your hands, many people prefer to eat sushi the traditional way.
Not just pieces of wood
We've scoured the net and put together a list of fun facts about chopsticks:
- Using chopsticks involves over 30 joints and 50 muscles in the fingers, wrist, arm, and shoulder, and thousands of nerves.
- A fear of chopsticks is called "Consecotaleophobia."
- Silver chopsticks were used to test toxicity in food in ancient China. Poison will make silver chopsticks turn black as an indication of a possible assassination attempt on the royal family.
Other than for eating, chopsticks are also used for a variety of different purposes and are also seen in movies. Can you remember the line in the Karate Kid (1984), "Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything," or in Kung Fu Panda where Po fights over the last dumpling with chopsticks? Such a simple eating tool has garnered global recognition.
So how does one celebrate or pay homage to National Chopsticks Day? According to Holiday Insights, it's pretty easy to do so:
- Use chopsticks when you eat today.
- Enjoy them with a Chinese meal.
- Have some fun with chopsticks today. Make a game out of picking up peanuts or jellybeans with them.
Did you know that you can find ancient or homemade chopsticks listed on Gumtree's online classifieds? It would be a fantastic gift for anyone who only bothers a little with forks or spoons.
Now that you've got the knowledge, it's time to shop! Head to gumtree.co.za or your Gumtree app (click for Apple & Android), and don't forget to use your location settings to find local service information close to home.
