Bamboo flatware is popular for its functionality, attractive appearance and environmentally friendly nature. The flatware is available in both permanent and disposable forms. In the permanent type, the entire piece of flatware may be of bamboo, pressed and molded into shape and finished with a food-safe finish.
Alternatively, only part of the flatware may be of bamboo. For instance, bamboo may be used as handles for salad forks, dinner forks, dinner knives, soup spoons, teaspoons, serving forks, serving spoons and so on in stainless steel flatware, silverware flatware and silverplate flatware. Bamboo may also be used to make a fine silverware caddy.
Disposable bamboo flatware is lightweight, can be used one or more times and is a good alternative to paper and plastic flatware. It does not harm the environment in its making and it is biodegradable. It can be broken down naturally.
It is possible to get bamboo flatware in varying colors, but the two popular choices are the light, natural bamboo finish and a darker honey color that is obtained by steaming the bamboo. On steaming, the sugars in the bamboo turn it dark permanently. The bamboo flatware is usually polished to give it a smooth, satiny feel, and is treated to give it resistance to heat and staining.
The flatware can be used without any problems for eating cold as well as hot food. It may be used indoors for formal meal settings and also outdoors on picnics. Depending on whether it is permanent or disposable and on the way it has been treated, it may or may not be possible to use bamboo flatware in a microwave and a dishwasher. Some bamboo flatware, owing to the craftsmanship involved, may be better off if washed by hand.
Flatware designs can range from simple, natural bamboo shapes to some intricately carved patterns. Bamboo Gorham flatware, from the famous silverware flatware manufacturer, is a collector's delight; there is also some silver and gold Gorham flatware that has been designed to look like bamboo, and this too is well worth collecting. Many flatware companies make customized bamboo flatware, and customers can order flatware that is made to their design specifications. Prices for bamboo flatware can range from the low-end to the high-end and very expensive, it all depends on the company making the flatware and the amount of craftsmanship gone into making it.
