Aside from making pretty mats and furniture, those lovely stalks of bamboo have many uses. A lover of bamboo decor for many years, it’s been wonderful seeing all the ways in which the plant is utilized in Taiwan.
Taiwan’s location is perfect for growing a variety of bamboo which makes the sources plentiful. The Taiwanese have perfected the art of manufacturing countless items from the plant–here people can find everything from bamboo furniture, buildings, writing and musical instruments, baskets, fishing equipment, to bamboo charcoal, which boasts its own impressive list of functions. In other parts of Asia bamboo has been used to make wine and weapons in addition to the more traditional uses.
Bamboo is also found in numerous tasty dishes. In Taiwan, it’s a culinary adventure discovering what new fare contains bamboo. I’ve seen bamboo chips, cookies, crackers, candy, enjoyed the shoots cooked and served in meals (one form, called water bamboo, is said to be very beneficial for women’s health).
It’s popular to use bamboo leaves to wrap glutinous rice dumplings called “Zongzi.” I’ve also had the pleasure of experiencing bamboo tube rice–a well-loved traditional treat, on several occasions.
Consuming is bamboo is healthy–bamboo is a great source of fiber and potassium, it can help lower cholesterol, may help with menstrual and respiratory problems, and is said to fight off creepy crawly intestinal worms.
So next time you’re out at that Asian restaurant, be sure to check and see if there are any bamboo-related items on the menu!