At the end of the summer cocktail-season, we'd like to leave you with one more thought. It's about straws. To be precise, not straw straws – those wouldn't be a problem at all. We're talking about plastic drinking straws. We know that straws belong to (certain) cocktails the way pizza belongs to Italy. So we took a closer look at the alternatives. Because the last thing we want is for our oceans to become ever more cluttered with plastic waste – and the humble plastic straw, unfortunately, plays a far from insignificant role in that.
So what alternatives does the market have to offer? We had a look around and ranked the best straw at the top. It's all downhill from there.
Glass straw
Seriously. We didn't want to believe it, but the glass tube came out on top in our little personal test. There are many reasons for that. As environmentally conscious Bio producers, one big factor is reusability. And as connoisseurs who pay attention to nuance, we loved the fact that glass imparts absolutely ZERO aftertaste. It feels great in the hand, and we even conducted a – admittedly rather half-hearted – break test. All the tubes passed with flying colours, though it has to be said: with enough brute force, they could break. And then your cocktail is done for too.
Straw made from Bio straw
This one was a must. If nothing else, because the straw comes from an Upper Austrian organic farmer – practically family. The advantage of actual straw straws: they stay firm. Sure, so do the glass ones, but compared to cardboard or paper (we'll get to that in a moment), the sturdiness is a real blessing. Flavour neutrality isn't quite on a par with glass, but it's more than adequate for most drinks. The big advantage of Bio straw straws over their glass cousins, though, is safety. So the classics – and the very things that gave drinking straws their name – are the go-to choice whenever a children's birthday party is on the cards.
Paper/cardboard straw
A disaster. The part submerged in the cocktail doesn't go soggy quite as quickly – but the other end certainly does, and in stages. First the straw sticks to your lips. Then it starts making itself known on a sensory level, and finally it dissolves completely, dispersing itself – along with the last sips of your drink – straight into your mouth. No thank you. Eco-credentials or not.
Conclusion: For parties and events with children, simply reach for Bio straw straws; for a relaxed cocktail at home, go for glass. And just like that, the world is a tiny bit cleaner again.
