Amazing Bamboo
The many uses of bamboo
What an amazing plant the bamboo is! It is essentially a grass that grows with a thick strong woody stem. Some of the strong bamboos are used as building materials. One can build a house of bamboo - with walls, roof, ceiling and floors all made from the strong stalks of the bamboo.
Bamboo is the the fastest growing woody plants in the world (Wikipedia).
Building.
In Asian countries it is used to create building platforms - they are as strong a steel and in many Chinese countries you will see the bamboo used as scaffolding around building sites. It seems to resist all pests and even the white ant, that can eat its way through other timber, does not manage to make a meal out of bamboo.
On farms in Asia the strong bamboo is used to make the frames of plastic covers to protect vegetable and flower plants.
There are of course many varieties of bamboo, and many more uses.
Food.
Anyone who has heard of the Giant Panda in China has learned that they live on bamboo - and it is a special type that appeals to them. Not just any bamboo!!! And the Red Panda from Nepal also loves to eat bamboo.
Bamboo shoots are often on the menu of Chinese restaurants and they can be purchased in fruit and vegetable markets in Asia, or in other parts of the world. They are also canned.
Quite a delicacy!!!
Furnishings.
Bamboo has been used to make furniture for centuries. The strong stems of the bamboo can also be moulded or curved to help make curniture. Tables, chairs, blinds, mats, screens, etc can be made from this remarkable renewable resource.
Bar stools, bars, cupboards - the list is endless.
Table mats, food canisters, drinking vessels, - all can be made with bamboo. In South Korea we were served rice in bamboo - it was actually cooked in the bamboo.
Steamers are made with bamboo - they are used to steam various foods over a wok or other container of boiling water.
Bamboo skewers are made and used to serve foods eg, fish, chicken, octopus etc.
Paper
For centuries the pulp of the bamboo has been used to create paper in Asia.
Fabric
The Chinese have developed several methods of turning bamboo into fabric. It is soft, easy to clean and very comfortable close to the skin. It is used to make towels, and clothes, including underwear and as a t-short and dress fabric.
Musical Instruments.
Quite a number of musical instruments are made with bamboo, including types of flutes or recorders, whistles and as part of some musical instruments. Little bird call whistles are made from bamboo.
Other things - bicycles (essentially the frames), baskets, wheels, etc. Almost anything can be made using bamboo.
It is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo
More on bamboo.
