Bamboo is the most common material, but they are also be made of various types of wood, as well as plastic, porcelain, animal bone, ivory, metal, coral, agate, and jade. During the Middle Ages , aristocrats often favored silver chopsticks since it was thought that silver would turn color if it came into contact with poison. Sometimes chopsticks are quite artistic. Chopsticks are can be made of lacquered wood and covered with artwork. Truly elegant chopsticks might be made of gold and embossed in silver with Chinese calligraphy .
Artisans also combine various hardwoods and metal to create distinctive designs.
Related Links Asian Foods Primer Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Elaborate Carvings Chopsticks may be totally smooth or carved or modeled ripples. Silver or gold paint can be used to give them a rough texture. In Thailand , wood is often elaborately carved into chopsticks. The ends of chopsticks can be rounded or squared, while the tips can be blunt or sharp. Some believe Confucius championed chopsticks over knives, which would remind people of slaughterhouses.