Stainless steel chopsticks are chopsticks made from stainless steel, a durable metal which is well suited for use as tableware. Many cultures which use chopsticks make stainless steel chopsticks, and they are typically readily available from stores which stock Asian kitchen supplies. Chopsticks made from stainless steel are often easier to care for than other types of chopsticks, which can be a distinct advantage, and they may be aesthetically appreciated in the context of some design schemes.
As a material for tableware, stainless steel has some distinct advantages. It is fairly nonreactive, which means that it should not interact with the food, unlike some other materials used to make chopsticks, which can develop strange flavors with certain dishes. Stainless steel is also easy to wash and sterilize, and it should not develop spotting and nicks over time, even when it is heavily used.
This metal is also very durable. Stainless steel chopsticks are often used as travel chopsticks, since they can endure rough handling, and they are usually dishwasher safe. The chopsticks may be plain, or they may be stamped with various patterns, depending on the region they are from and the aesthetics of the designer. Spoons which coordinate with stainless steel chopsticks can also be obtained, so that the tableware used for serving and eating will match.
Several different chopstick designs can be executed in stainless steel, ranging from the long chopsticks used for cooking in China to the tapered chopsticks which the Japanese eat with. In all cases, the chopsticks can be purchased as single pairs or sets. People who think that they will be entertaining should consider purchasing a large matching set of stainless steel chopsticks so that they will have enough to set a matching table. Sets can also be useful because if a chopstick goes astray, it can easily be replaced with another chopstick from the set.
When purchasing stainless steel chopsticks, there are a few things to consider. It is important to make sure that the chopsticks are really made from stainless steel, not another metal, and consumers should also purchase the right chopsticks for their needs. One of the easiest ways to do this is to go to a market which specializes in cuisine from a particular Asian country; people who want to serve Korean food, for example, can get Korean chopsticks at a Korean market. People may also want to consider the appearance of the chopsticks, and whether or not they want patterned or decorated chopsticks.
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.