The history of straws goes back more than 6000 years, but what else can we know about their origin and use?

Historically, the oldest straws on record date back to the Middle East; records are kept from the Sumerians, using plant stems. There are also records of Egyptians drinking beer with a straw to avoid taking the impurities in the container.

The evolution of the straw has been drastic throughout history, they began as tools for hunting, health and medicine, and were made with stems, bones and wood; later it was migrated to some metals for its production, such as the gold used by members of some royals, the South American bulb to drink Mate.

Already in more recent times, materials that are cheaper or easier to work with began to be used, such as paper, cardboard and flexible plastic.

The current plastic straw, as we know it, has its origin in the United States, as do its variants, such as stirring straws, flexible straws, etc.

Straws are offered as a sanitary alternative, to reduce the risk of having direct contact with containers such as cups, glasses, bottles that have not been properly washed, a high-value option in restaurants. It is also highly useful for older people with health problems who may have complications sipping directly from a container.

They are also useful for children, since they help them not to get too dirty with liquids.

By: Eduardo Rivera

Photo: unsplash.com

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