This morning I was swiping through Snapchat, reading my daily news—as one does—and I came across an interesting story about reducing pollution by eliminating plastic straws. Yes, this isn’t news as everyone starting to see reusable straws cropping up everywhere. stainless steel and paper are the main players but what about pasta?
U.K. mogul, Maxim Glemann created pasta straw company Stroodles just a year ago with a simple dream to curb the stresses that straws place on the environment. Manufacturing pasta straws from Italy (where else??), Glemann, a.k.a Mr. Stroodles wants you to join the #StroodleMovement too.
Pasta straws aren't just a cheeky sales pitch or phase. In fact, Glemann has been featured on Dragon’s Den, catching the attention of quite a few supporters from environmental organizations to restaurateurs; even the Pizza Pilgrims are on board the pasta straw craze! This goes to show you that this creative product might be here to stay.
It’s obvious that #pasta straws have some trending-power right now. No one’s seen pasta used as reusable straws. If nothing else, it’s a unique novelty. But when compared to other reusable or biodegradable straws, Glemann’s #stroodles actually have quite a few things going for them.
Here are the basics: they work, they're vegan, and they're the most eco-friendly straw on the market!
Unlike paper straws, pasta straws last for longer than an hour in cold drinks. Stroodles specifically credit the high level of protein gluten in the wheat for the straw’s sturdiness. Hot drinks, however, are a different story. Unless you're looking to make a bowl of soup, maybe skip pasta straws when consuming hot liquids.
As mentioned, these straws are 100% vegan and totally flavourless. Made from just wheat and water, this means almost anyone can use pasta straws; that is unless you're celiac or have a wheat allergy.
If that weren't enough, pasta straws are generate zero waste! Unlike plastic straws that never fully disintegrate or paper straws that take over two months to disappear, pasta straws can decompose overnight! Just let Mother Nature do her thing and biodegrade that ISH.
Plus, using pasta straws is easy. Nothing about your drinking habits has to change. Just swap your straw and start sipping! In fact, these pasta straws even have the same diameter and length of plastic straws. The only thing that might come as a surprise is a potential starch presence from the gluten... just a small price to pay for saving the planet one cocktail at a time!
So, what can you drink with your stroodle? Good question. A few beverages come to mind:
Cocktails
Smoothies
Sodas
Juices
Kombucha
The list can go on forever...
Personally, I think that this is a really cool product. In one sense, it is a novelty item and I’d totally buy them just as a talking piece. Moving past that, pasta straws actually make A LOT of sense.
Pasta straws are an eco-friendly product, which is great. But let’s face it, not all “green” products are easy to adapt to. What it seems to me, though, is that pasta straws appear to deliver their promises. They don’t require extra steps, any hassle or even learning on the consumer's part.
I think that using pasta as a straw is a creative solution to cut environmental stresses in an efficient way. It is also a simple and easy way to do so.
What’s more, from personal experience, I haven’t really ever been a huge straw fanatic but I’ve had my fair share of straw-laden cocktails and beverages and I think I’m ready to give pasta a shot.
For me, using a traditional plastic straw is great for hot or cold beverages but there is huge environmental disadvantage. A stainless steel straw sounds like a greener option, but I haven’t been to many restaurants that serve your beverage with one; which means it’s usually up to you to B.Y.O.S. (bring your own straw). Sorry, but that doesn’t seem to work for someone that’s on-the-go. As for paper, excellent that they can be tossed after use but the drinking experience is skewed- paper straws turn to mush in no time at all.
I’m excited to see what this company does and if pasta straws will be cropping up in restaurants and fast food chains alike? What have we got to lose anyway?
Ready to give pasta straws a try? Let me know in the comments!