Plastic straws are among the single-use plastics that have been banned with effect from July 1. So, eco-friendly straws are a must now. There are environment-friendly alternatives of drinking straws like paper straws, but here is something better: edible straws, which eliminates the hassle of disposal and accumulated garbage, and will decompose like any edible substance.
What’s more, edible straws are a snack by itself and a perfect addition to your drink. It is made with cornstarch and sugar in a variety of flavours, such as candy, rice, and even bacon strips. The ingredients are wrapped around wooden skewers and baked.
Facts about straw
The use of straws dates back to 3000 BCE, when, in the Mesopotamian Civilisation, wooden or metal straws were used to drink beer. Much later, in the 19th Century, Marvin Stone was the first to apply for a patent of the drinking straw. From the 1960s onwards, however, paper straws began to be replaced with plastic straws. Plastic straws have become more or less ubiquitous across the world, leading to harmful effects on the environment. This has raised the need to adopt eco-friendly alternatives, with edible straws being one of them. It is believed that edible straws were invented during the 2000s.
Here are three recipes of edible straws: Jolly Rancher Straws, Cookie straws, and bacon straws.
1. Jolly Rancher Straws
Jolly Rancher candies, used to make these edible straws, are available online in India.
Ingredients:
24 different coloured Jolly Rancher candies
Wooden skewers
Method:
. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
. Take a baking sheet and place a silicone mat.
. Over the mat, place four Jolly Rancher candies in a row each.
. Bake for two minutes until the candies are melted and bubble up to the top
. Grease the wooden skewer.
. Wait for the melted candies to cool down.
. As soon as it is cool enough to touch, wrap it around the skewer.
. Voila! The edible straw is made.
. Serve inside a tangy juice, such as lemon, orange or mojito drink.
2. Cookie Straws
Easy to make cookie straws are sweet and crunchy.
Ingredients:
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
A pinch of salt
5 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons heavy cream
½ teaspoon vanilla
Wooden skewers
Method:
. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
. Place a silicone mat over a baking sheet.
. Beat the egg whites and sugar in a bowl to a fluffy consistency. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until smooth.
. Place one teaspoon of batter on the baking sheet and silicone mat. With a spatula, spread the batter in a thin 3 inch by 7-inch rectangle. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes until the edges start to brown.
. Wrap the cookie around a wooden skewer, a straw or skewer.
. Let it cool down.
. Serve in a smoothie.
3. Bacon Straws
These crispy bacon straws go well with savoury cocktails.
Ingredients:
6 six strips of thickly sliced bacons
Wooden skewers
Method:
. Wrap bacon strips around a wooden skewer, ensuring each strip overlaps.
. Bake at 350 degrees till fully browned or for 15 to 20 minutes. Wait till it cools.
. Serve in Bloody Mary.