Technically a grass (and the fastest growing plant on Earth), bamboo is an exceptionally sustainable building material known for its high strength and durability—making it comparable to many hardwoods.

In relative terms, bamboo products are fairly new to the western world. Elsewhere however, its “rockstar” reputation has been celebrated for millennia, and it’s highly regarded as an attractive, durable and eco-friendly material.

Vietnam has one of the world's largest bamboo reserves, covering roughly 4 million acres (1.6 million hectares). In Thanh Hóa Province, the birthplace of our hand carved Sarita flatware, bamboo has been sustainably farmed by the local communities for generations. 

Assuming it comes from the right place… where crops are native and rainfall is abundant—yes, bamboo is extremely sustainable.

Its rapid growth and high carbon absorption make it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional materials—and because bamboo is natural, it's completely biodegradable and can be recycled or composted.

Most pieces are quite light and golden in color which is typical of bamboo. However, natural variations can sometimes result in flatware with darker streaking—almost like woodgrain.

Occasionally, a piece or two within a set can be markedly darker. We have highlighted some of these differences in our photos. That's the true beauty of a natural product.

At this time, we do not take requests for color ranges. You should expect your Sarita flatware set to contain light colored bamboo, with a small chance that one or more pieces will be darker in color.

In a word, no.

Our Sarita flatware utensils are hand carved from natural organic bamboo using a minimum of power tools. They are not treated with dyes, chemicals or coatings during any stage of production.

The outer shell of the storage case is handmade with an organic jute & cotton blend that is colored using vegetable dye. The inner lining of the case is natural, organic cotton.

A two part answer: first off, bamboo does not affect the taste or flavor of food. Secondly, if washed after each use, your Sarita flatware will not absorb or retain the flavor of previous meals either. 

Unlike commercially machined bamboo sets that are thin & flimsy, your Sarita bamboo flatware set is hand carved from high quality natural bamboo, making it extremely dense and tough. It should last a long, long time with proper care.

To maximize its durability and prolong the life of your Sarita bamboo flatware, we recommend the following: Hand wash with dish soap and warm water after every meal. Do not soak the utensils and avoid washing them in the dishwasher. Store your flatware set in a cool, dry environment.

To give your Sarita flatware set an extra layer of protection, rub the bamboo utensils with a food grade mineral oil, or fry them in food grade linseed or flaxseed oil.

The storage case is made of natural jute and cotton and can be placed in the washer on gentle cycle. Allow the case to air dry to prevent shrinkage.