Arguably one of the most fun ways to eat your food but definitely something that takes a bit of practice – 6 February is chopsticks day.
READ MORE ON THE PREVIOUS DAY HERE: You’re worth more – it’s dump your significant jerk day
History of chopsticks day
At least 3000 years ago or more, chopsticks started in China, where they served as cooking utensils.
Around 400 BC, these handy sticks became a tool for people to eat noodles, rice, meat, vegetables, and more due to scarce resources and the need to cook food faster by chopping it into smaller pieces.
This much-needed innovation quickly spread from China to other Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
Initially made from bamboo, chopsticks have now been crafted from various traditional materials such as wood, metal, ivory, and ceramics, and more recently from plastic, resin, stainless steel, and even titanium.
Average person in China use up to 200 sets per year
They have also been valued for their beauty, especially when decorated with precious substances or painted with unique artwork.
In 1878, the Japanese introduced the disposable bamboo sticks called “waribashi.”
Many people are unaware that the average person in China uses up to 200 sets of disposable chopsticks per year.
To reduce waste and help the environment, China imposed a 5% tax on chopsticks in April 2006, which spread to countries where China exports sticks, such as Japan and Korea.
Chopsticks day celebrates the tradition of using chopsticks for cooking and eating utensils with honor and respect.
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