Chopsticks
"Sake, Chopsticks, Paper Rest" — Photo by Orin Zebest from San Francisco, CA, USA / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
Two wooden soldiers often found in a culinary dance.
This humble pair of tools has been used for millennia across East Asia. They require a certain level of dexterity to master, yet they are essential for many iconic dishes.
Did you know?
In many cultures, it is considered impolite to point these tools at others or to stick them vertically into a bowl of rice, as it mimics funerary incense offerings.
“In their earliest form, they were likely used for cooking rather than eating.”
“They are often accused of being the culprit for a specific repetitive strain injury if held incorrectly.”
“Confucius is said to have discouraged their use, preferring a knife as he deemed the other tool too barbaric for a refined table.”
“They are frequently referred to as 'fast little fellows' in their original language.”
“These slender, parallel implements are the standard extension of the hand for billions when dining.”