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Advantages and disadvantages of bamboo drinking straws

In the summer of 2021, the time has come: single-use plastic products such as plastic plates or plastic straws will be banned. Reason enough to look around for the best alternatives. When it comes to drinking straws, the products on offer range from tubes made of glass, stainless steel or edible straws to noodle drinking straws or bamboo tubes. The advantages of paper straws, edible straws and other alternatives have already been reported, but what is the advantage of the bamboo straw?

Benefits of Bamboo Straws


The biggest advantage compared to plastic straws is that the bamboo plant grows very quickly. Therefore, a large amount of bamboo can be harvested, dried and processed into drinking straws in a short time. Even better than the recyclability of plastic is the complete compostability of bamboo: The straws are made exclusively of bamboo and can therefore be easily disposed of with organic waste.

Other bamboo dishes such as coffee mugs or plates have been criticized several times for being poisonous. This is because, unlike drinking straws, these bamboo products are not made entirely of bamboo, but also of questionable plastics. These can come loose on contact with drinks that are too hot and cause health problems. However, this is not due to the bamboo itself. However, since the bamboo drinking straws are made entirely of bamboo and no other material, they are not toxic.

The bamboo drinking straw is a natural product, which is why each piece looks a little different thanks to the different grain. The natural wood look not only makes a lasting impression, but also satisfies discerning aesthetes. Thanks to the hardness of the bamboo, the drinking straw is firm and does not bend like a plastic straw. This property also has a positive effect in the glass, since the bamboo straw does not often slide up in the glass like its plastic counterpart, but lies stable in the drink. It should also be emphasized that the hard bamboo tubes are also a good alternative for children. After all, they don't break even if they fall down.

In addition, bamboo is said to have a slightly antibacterial effect, as it limits the proliferation of germs and bacteria. Bamboo tubes are not disposable but reusable. The straws can be cleaned under running water and used several times.

  • 🧃 Sustainable edible straws
    🥇 Made in Germany
    🌳 Grain & apple fiber from Germany
    🚫 Plastic-free drinking straws & EU compliant
    🕑 Stable for about 60 minutes - in cold and alcoholic drinks even up to two hours t
    Original price
    Original price
    Current price
  • Disadvantages of bamboo straws


    Although bamboo straws are a good alternative to plastic straws, they also have some disadvantages that should not be underestimated.

    The advantage of fast cultivation is also associated with a disadvantage: the large bamboo plantations do not exist in Europe, but mainly in Asia and South America. Due to long transport routes and possibly poor working conditions for harvest workers, the sustainability of bamboo stalks can be questioned. In any case, bamboo is not a regional solution to plastic avoidance.

    They can be cleaned though; however, this process often turns out to be complicated. If you rinse the bamboo drinking straw under running water, you sometimes need a lot of water - especially with thicker drinks such as smoothies or milkshakes, where components can settle in the straw. After cleaning, however, it is often difficult to see whether the entire interior is really clean or whether the material, which is not always smooth, has absorbed residues. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to purchase a thin cleaning brush. Compared to glass or metal straws, the bamboo drinking straw cannot be cleaned in the dishwasher. Many manufacturers also recommend placing the bamboo stem in boiling water for about ten minutes before using it for the first time to remove any dirt or dust.

    Similar to wood, the material absorbs liquid, which is why it must be dried thoroughly after cleaning before being stored away. Otherwise mold can easily form. Due to the hygienic reasons mentioned, it can therefore be used for a shorter period of time than alternatives made of glass or stainless steel. Similar to wooden cookware, the bamboo drinking straws are not approved for use in the catering trade because of these hygienic concerns.

    Other properties also connect the bamboo straw with wood: As with wood, users of bamboo drinking straws often notice a taste of the material. This is particularly noticeable in beverages with a subtle aroma.
    Natural materials such as bamboo can discolour over time. This is especially the case when the bamboo straw is regularly used for colored drinks.

    Conclusion: bamboo straw or super straw from Wisefood


    After the advantages and disadvantages listed, it can quickly be seen that the bamboo straw is certainly not the best alternative to plastic. At the private garden party, the bamboo straws are sure to be eye-catchers; are rather impractical in the long term, mainly due to the cumbersome cleaning and drying. They are even completely unsuitable for restaurateurs because, as already mentioned, they are not approved for use in restaurants and bars.

    So the search for the perfect drinking straw continues. We at Wisefood also want to make our contribution to plastic alternatives, which is why we have developed the super straw . With Wisefood straws, you don't even have to ask yourself how it can be recycled or cleaned - it just gets eaten. With this unique selling point, the super straw stands out from the tubes made of bamboo, glass, stainless steel or paper.

    In contrast to the well-travelled bamboo, the super straw consists of local raw materials such as grain and apple fibers. The latter is a waste product during juice production. Thus, the topic of sustainability is also implemented in transport. Speaking of ingredients: Thanks to the large amount of fiber and stevia as an alternative sweetener to industrial sugar, the super straw is a much healthier option than sugary straws.

    While the slightly woody taste of bamboo can negatively affect the aroma of your drink, the super straw doesn't falsify the taste. Rather, over time it soaks up the drink slightly, which is why it tastes subtly like it when you eat it. Almost every restaurant guest has tried straws made of glass, paper or stainless steel; with edible straws, exciting accents can be set instead. In short: an alternative that is worth trying out. You can find out more about the super straws here.

    Finally, a tip for all those who would prefer to make their own drinking straws: If you have planted bamboo in your garden or in a pot, you can test without obligation whether bamboo is an equivalent alternative to plastic straws. Bamboo straws for drinking are easy to make yourself with just a few items. A thin bamboo cane with a maximum diameter of about 1.5 cm is required for this. It is then cut to the right length with a saw or knife. A screwdriver will help break up any knots inside and get a more even inside. After smoothing the edges with sandpaper, the straw is disinfected in boiling water. As soon as the bamboo drinking straw has dried on the heater, for example, it can be tested.

    Would you like to learn more about the plastic problem in disposable tableware? In this article we have put together some important facts for you. You can find out more about the ban on plastic drinking straws here.


    Sources
    https://www.halm.co/pages/reusable-strawhalme-in-comparison
    https://nachhaltig-sein.info/lebenweiß/alternativ-plastic-strohhalm-vergleich-nachhaltigkeit
    https://www.welt.de/food/discoveren/article190303511/Die-besten-Reusable-Strohhalme-im-Test.html
    https://www.oekotest.de/essen-trinken/Warning-vor-Bambusbechern-Sie-sind-haeufig-ein-Gesundheits risk-Test-von-Bambus-Geschirr-Krebsverdaechtige-Schadstoffe_10742_1.html
    https://naturmonia.de/gesundheit-und-kueche/strahhalme-aus-bambus#:~:text=The%20advantages%20of%20bamboo straws%20are%20%20%20BPA%20%20free and%20tasteless.
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