5 Edible Cutlery Brands for Incredible Eats and Drinks On-the-go Without Plastic!
In a world that is drowning in single-use plastic waste, edible utensils are paving the way for a cleaner, greener planet without plastic pollution. Imagine enjoying your meal and then consuming your spoon, fork, or straw, leaving zero waste behind. This article delves into the innovative world of biodegradable cutlery that can be eaten, exploring its benefits, varieties, and some of the innovative start-ups that have created these products etc.
Whether you’re an eco-conscious diner, a regular takeaway eater, or someone looking to support sustainable practices, this article is your gateway to understanding why edible utensils are the future of dining, at least on-the-go.
What are the Issues with Single-use Plastic Cutlery?
More than 561 billion individual plastic utensils are used by Americans every year. These are items that have various shapes and are not easily recycled. Furthermore, their production relies on fossil fuels. Therefore, the concept of edible cutlery began as a response to the growing concern over disposable cutlery made from renewable resources like crops.
Unlike traditional plastic cutlery, edible utensils decompose naturally, reducing environmental impact.
What is Edible Cutlery Made of?
Edible utensils are a type of tableware made from natural, biodegradable ingredients that can be consumed after use. These can be:
- Sorghum
- Rice
- Millet
- Wheat
- Chocolate
- Candy
- etc.
This cutlery is usually vegan, has no preservatives, and is both trans-fat and dairy free. It has a shelf life of up to three years when stored in a dry and cool place.
These utensils are designed to handle various temperatures and consistencies, making them suitable for a range of foods, from soups to desserts.
The process of making edible spoons involves combining natural ingredients like rice, wheat, and millet flour. These ingredients are mixed into a dough, molded into utensil shapes, and baked at specific temperatures to ensure durability and shelf life. The formulation can be adjusted to include various flavors, making the taste more enjoyable. Edible spoons can withstand liquid and hot foods, proving their practicality alongside their environmental benefits.
Related: Plastic-free Chewing Gums. Do they Exist?
5 Edible Utensils Brands that Represent the Future of Disposable Cutlery
We scouted the world for tasty tableware that can be eaten! See who made our list here below.
This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. This helps us continue the hard work we put into researching products and solutions to plastic/ microplastic pollution.
1. Incredible Eats Inc. – USA
Incredible Eats Inc. has been at the forefront of the edible cutlery movement launching Kickstarter campaigns in 2018. Founded with a mission to reduce plastic waste, the company has developed a range of innovative edible utensils that are both functional and delicious. Their products, including spoons, forks, and straws, are made from a blend of natural ingredients and come in various flavors. They have been literally transforming the way we think about disposable tableware.
Check out IncrEDIBLE Eats on Amazon USA
Related: 5 Tips for Creating a Plastic Free Catering Event
2. Fruidles Chocolate Edible Spoons & Stirrers – USA – UK
Fruidles has created chocolate spoons and stirrers that are perfect for parties and all other occasions. They are fun, very decorative on your ice cream will leave good memories for all your guests and can be used as an ice breaker (see the pun!) Measuring approximately 4.5 inches long, they are the perfect size also for stocking stuffers, gift baskets etc.
Check out Fruidles on Amazon USA –UK
Related: Plastic Free Packaging: 7 Ideas to Help Your Business Reduce Waste
3. Melville Candy Salted Caramel Flavored Coffee Spoons and Hard Candy Stirrers
Melville Candy’s salted caramel coffee flavoring spoons are the perfect item to sweeten and flavor any hot beverage like coffee or tea and are hand-poured in the US. Each spoon lollipop dissolves in a hot drink and can be removed to adjust to the desired sweetness. They make a great addition to any coffee bar, tea station, cocktail party, wedding favor, or candy buffet.
Check out Melville Candy on Amazon USA
Related: Why Ditching Plastic Straws?
4. Stroodles Biscuit Spoons – UK
Stroodles is the company that made the famous Stroodles Pasta Straws around the world with an idea born in Italy and brought back to London where it was officially founded by Mr. Stroodles Maxim Gelmann. In the meantime, they also launched biscuit spoons for ice cream and dessert.
Related: Plastic Free Tea Bags: Which Brands Are Really Plastic Free?
5. Edible Cutlery – Australia
Abhinav and Nishanth had the idea to create a true zero-waste solution to traditional disposable cutlery in 2022. Inspired by Western Australia’s ban on single-use plastics, they set out to tackle Australia’s plastic problem head-on. Having discovered that Australians use an incredible 7 million disposable utensils units each day, the pair knew that a tasty and fun alternative was exactly the solution they needed. After experimenting with various natural ingredients and flavors to finetune their products, the original Edible Cutlery range was launched.
FAQs
What are the Benefits of Edible Cutlery for the Environment?
Edible cutlery offers numerous environmental benefits:
- Firstly, it reduces the reliance on single-use plastic cutlery, which often ends up in landfills or oceans
- By degrading naturally, within weeks or months, edible utensils are fully compostable minimizing pollution.
- Additionally, they reduce the need for recycling, which can be energy-intensive and inefficient.
- Last as they are literally eaten, they provide nutritional value and don’t require water to clean them like reusable options.
Therefore, consumers can enjoy a meal knowing they are contributing to a healthier planet.
What Varieties of Edible Tableware Exist? Hint: More Than Just Spoons!
Edible cutlery comes in various forms, including:
- edible spoons including dessert spoons
- edible forks
- edible knives
- edible straws
- edible cups including coffee cups
- edible bowls
These utensils are available in assorted flavors, adding a unique twist to the dine-out experience.
The Future of Edible Cutlery: Trends and Innovations
The future of edible cutlery is bright, with ongoing innovations and trends shaping the industry. Researchers are exploring new materials and flavors to enhance the functionality and appeal of edible utensils. Additionally, advancements in plastic free packaging and shelf life are making these products more viable for widespread use. As awareness of environmental issues grows, edible cutlery is poised to become a standard in sustainable dining.
Related: The Power of Bioplastics: Engineering a Plastic Free Future
Final Thoughts
We hope these highlighted eco friendly dining solutions will help you or your business become plastic free, while surprising your guests with a plastic free catering event or picnic or your customers at your restaurant or cafe with an enjoyable edible experience, which can be also a conversation starter on how to say no to plastic!
The future of edible cutlery is promising, with ongoing innovations and increasing accessibility of products.
By choosing edible utensils, we can all contribute to a cleaner, greener planet while enjoying a unique and sustainable dining experience.
