These Edible Chopsticks Were Made To Save Agriculture, But Taste Like Traditional Japanese Mats

Chopsticks have been around for thousands of years and are typically made from wood. Although the eating utensils are typically made from recycled material, it's not necessarily the most eco-friendly to toss utensils in the trash after a single use. One company, Marushige Confectioner, has found a way to counter the waste by creating edible chopsticks.

According to RocketNews24, the chopsticks are made of igusa, a type of reed that's typically used to make Japanese tatami floor mats. The igusa used is specifically sourced in Kumamoto prefecture on the island of Kyushu.

The edible chopsticks were created not only to potentially cut back on waste, but also to help support Japanese agriculture with the demand for igusa on the decline.

While the chopsticks are technically edible, most people in Japan don't consider igusa a common ingredient; however, the company says it has found two Tokyo restaurants willing to provide the eating utensils to customers.

To read about 10 wacky themed cafés in Japan you really have to visit, click here.