Technology
What makes Japanese lacquered chopsticks so durable?
Quick fact
Lacquer, made from the sap of the urushi tree, creates a waterproof, antibacterial seal that prevents harmful microbes from growing in the porous wood.
Why this is interesting
Japanese chopsticks are lacquered not for aesthetics, but because raw wood absorbs moisture and bacteria, causing a type of food poisoning that affected nobles for centuries.