Grass Stronger Than Steel

There are few plants that man has been able to use in a larger variety of ways than bamboo. This plant can grow to giant proportions and is a close relative to rice and corn - all in the grass family. Bamboos grow on every continent apart from Europe and the Antarctic and it is mostly found in Asia.

Bamboo is used as construction material, raw material for paper, material for tools, musical instruments, fishing poles and high quality furniture. Ancient Japanese houses used to be built entirely from this grass. The expansive use of bamboos is due to its strength, which can be compared to steel. It seems that this plant has the fastest recorded growth rate - 120cm in 24 hours.

In Japan a special type of bamboos called mao-chu is used for manufacturing furniture. An especially decorative and expensive type is called kiko-chiku, which has joints in triangular shapes that resembles a turtle shell. A classic Japanese house has an attic made of bamboo, wood and paper. Various household objects, baskets, arrows and bows, tea sets and even some types of samurai swords incorporate bamboo. A substance similar to wax is taken from the knots of young sprouts and used for making candles.

In India a peasant is born, lives and dies with regular use of this peculiar grass. The umbilical cord is cut with a bamboo knife, the child sleeps in a bamboo cradle and young sprouts are a part of daily meals. The land is farmed with bamboo tools, which are also used to feed the cattle. The dead are burned on stretchers made from bamboo.

Asian kitchens prepare many meals using bamboo. One interesting fact is that giant bamboo contains cyanide, but if boiled the poison breaks down and it is safe to eat. Bamboo is a very important ingredient for meals. It is also used for making sweet wine and as dishes for serving rice and soup. Food is also cooked in bamboo, which gives it a very different flavour. The most important fact for this modern age is that bamboo items are eco friendly. In addition, if the redecoration of one's house is under consideration, the warmest recommendation goes out to this flexible, strong grass to be utilized in the home.

(by : Dave Vower)