Chopsticks Buying Guide

Chopsticks,  the traditional eating utensils of East Asian countries, are now widely popular the world over. When eating with them, it is best to use your thumb and finger to manipulate the two sticks into a triangle shape; this will help you to pick up any type of food including rice  and sushi rolls.  It takes a little bit of practice, but once you learn how to use chopsticks, you may never go back to regular utensils!

Types

Wooden Chopsticks  Wooden and bamboo  chopsticks are the most popular for cooking and eating. Inexpensive and easy to grip. Can be poor conductors of heat and may harbor bacteria if not properly cleaned.	Plastic Chopsticks  Inexpensive, but poor conductors of heat. Do not harbor bacteria or deteriorate as easily as wooden chopsticks. Cannot be used for cooking. Harder to use than wood.	Metal Chopsticks  Durable and easy to clean. Not ideal for cooking because of rapid heat conduction. Smooth surfaces may cause food to slide, making it harder to grip. Generally expensive.	Luxury Chopsticks  Jade,  gold,  and silver  chopsticks are considered luxury items. Commonly used as decorations.

Chopstick Rests

Chopstick rests  are neat little items that keep your chopsticks off the table and in place. They often come as sets, and are sometimes included with chopsticks that you may purchase. They can help to keep the utensils you are using germ-free so that they do not contaminate with other chopsticks being used at the table. They can be made out of wood,  glass,  porcelain  or even jade.  They come in all different designs and colors, so if you use chopsticks alot in your home, you might want to invest in these, although they are typically used in restaurants. Also remember that when resting your chopsticks, you should always place them parallel to the table edge with the points toward the left.

Make Your Own Sushi

So now that you've mastered the use of chopsticks, are you ready to try making sushi right in your own home? It sounds difficult, but with a little experience and instruction you can be a master in no time.

• Make sure you have a sushi mat,  some seaweed  (for wrapping up your fillings),veggies,  and whatever fish  or meat  you plan on putting inside your sushi rolls. 
• Sticky rice  is usually prepared separately using rice vinegar  or a rice cooker. 
• Don't forget an apron so you won't make a mess of yourself in the process! To cook in style, try the Fashionista Vintage Apron. 
• For more specifics on making sushi, check out this site; it details the process for you very thoroughly.

Ready to Serve

Make sure you have these last few items to serve your meal.

Sushi Service For Two  Having some fun plates to serve your sushi on like the item above are great and make your dining experience even more enjoyable.	Sake Sets  What's a sushi or Asian cuisine meal without sake?  Purchase some and then serve it in these great glasses.	Chinese Soup Spoons  If you plan on having several courses with your meal, then these spoons are great for scooping up liquid in soups  and broths.	Wasabi Bowls  These work well for serving sushi or other courses in your meal due to their deep set shape.

Related Guides

Cookbooks	Rice Cookers	Dinnerware	Kitchen Utensils

External Links

• Wikipedia.org: General information about chopsticks and etiquette when eating.