What do you think about bamboo?

[Lucywu2012]

Bamboo is no longer just a delicacy for pandas or a collectible for sinophiles.
The environmental movement is embracing bamboo — it's actually a type of gigantic grass with hollow, jointed, woody stems — as a raw material source for organic products.
Bamboo truly is a remarkable renewable resource. It is a centuries old material that has been and continues to be used by over half the world's population for applications as varied as food, shelter, fuel and clothing. These applications make bamboo a vital non-timber, non-petroleum resource. With a tensile strength superior to steel, it is one of the most versatile and durable natural resources in the world.
Now, can you tell me what do you think of bamboo? Can you share your opinions with me? I'd like to listen to all of yours ideas.

 

[addictivepersona]

I think bamboo should be used for a lot more than it currently is, as it is so renewable. Same goes for hemp. I see neither becoming a major resource though, unfortunately.

 

[Dtergent]

Bamboo itself is renewable, but the process that it undergoes to create a fabric is much more energy internsive than cotton or any other fiber. The process uses bamboo powder and adds chemicals to create fabric-- something like rayon. More on that in this link.

Apparently, it can be combed like linen or cotton, but that's too energy or labor intensive.

I'd still say go for organic cotton or hemp.

For flooring or building material (even packaging), I'm all for bamboo. I've seen some pretty amazing applications recently. I think it will figure largely in the tropical future of industrial design and architecture.

 

[Jamshyd]

Bamboo root is actually pretty common in Japanese cuisine. It tastes rather bland (to me, anyway) and I don't think it has any special nutritional advantage over other things.

 

[Dtergent]

Jam, do you mean bamboo pith? Here we eat the tender parts of bamboo shoots. They are actually pretty good in coconut milk.

 

[Jamshyd]

^ It probably got lost in translation .

I asked what it was, and they said "bamboo root". Could have been anything, really, but I trust your verdict :D.

 

[prayersfor.rain]

I've never really even thought about using bamboo for anything other than eating.

We used to get it fresh in Taiwan. Mmmm bamboo soup...I love eating it. So tender and full of greatness

Canned bamboo doesn't compare.

 

[Lucywu2012]

In my opinion, bamboo acturally delicious to eat. But it also has so many useful site. In fact, more and more people focuse on bamboo, I believe in the future, it will become a popular material for offering!

 

[Mehm]

I used to have a bamboo stand at my house in the middle of the desert of new mexico. Very easy to grow and so many uses for construction. Great stuff.