Bamboo chopsticks are eating utensils made from bamboo, a member of the grass family which is famous for its woody stems. Chopsticks are used as the primary eating utensil in a number of Asian nations including Japan and China, and they come in a range of shapes, sizes, and styles. Bamboo chopsticks are extremely common, because bamboo is a cheap wood which is easy to obtain, and most disposable and inexpensive chopsticks are made from bamboo for this reason. Asian markets usually carry an array of bamboo chopsticks.
As a material, bamboo is rather unique. Although it is a grass, it produces very large stems which develop a woody texture. In the case of giant bamboo, the wood can be very close-grained and smooth. The color may range from light gold to brownish-black. Bamboo happens to be a great choice of wood for eating utensils because it is naturally antimicrobial and antifungal, so it will not harbor organisms which cause disease.
The most basic bamboo chopsticks are made with raw bamboo which has been trimmed into the shape of two sticks, which may be pointed or blunted, depending on the region they come from. Disposable bamboo chopsticks are classically made from a solid piece of bamboo which has been scored so that the user can break the chopsticks apart; to avoid splinters, some people rub the chopsticks against each other to smooth the wood.
It is also possible to find bamboo chopsticks which are designed for long term use, including chopsticks made from stained, oiled, or varnished bamboo. Some companies make painted or lacquered chopsticks with a bamboo base, in which case the wood may not be visible. Painted bamboo chopsticks tend to be very durable when they are painted with high-quality materials, because the bamboo will not mold, rot, or mildew, even with frequent use.
Some bamboo chopsticks may be capped with various metals for decorative reasons, or ornamented with carvings or beading. A wide variety of styles are available to mesh with various table settings and home décor styles, with high-quality chopsticks coming in cases which will protect the chopsticks when not in use, while ensuring that they do not become lost.
Consumers may want to be aware that eating with mismatched chopsticks is considered unlucky in some Asian nations, and a table setting with mismatched chopsticks can be regarded as a sign of ill omen or an offense. It is also not appropriate to stick chopsticks into a dish so that they stand straight up; when not in use, chopsticks should be rested on the table, on a chopstick rest, or on the side of a plate. Both of these etiquette rules stem from Asian traditions about burial and cremation, in which chopsticks play a role.