Choosing straws: paper, bamboo, PVC, or metal – which suits which drink?
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
A paper straw that bends or a metal straw that is too narrow for your milkshake: almost all annoyances are caused by the wrong combination of material and diameter. This article lists the four materials and the sizes that matter.
A paper straw that collapses in lemonade after ten minutes. A metal straw that turns out to be too narrow for a milkshake. A bamboo straw that tastes like dish soap after two washes. Almost all annoyance surrounding straws is not caused by the material itself, but by the wrong combination of material, diameter, and use. Below, we'll list them, along with the practical sizes that matter.
Start with the diameter, not the material
The thickness of the straw determines what you can use it for. That's a harder limit than the material: a thin straw in a thick milkshake simply doesn't work, no matter how good it looks.
Around 6 mm — the standard size for soft drinks, water, iced tea, and cocktails. This is what you get in most hospitality establishments.
Around 8 mm — milkshakes, smoothies, and drinks with pulp. Our Paper Milkshake Straws 230x8 mm (10 pieces, € 1.95) fall into this category.
10 mm and thicker — bubble tea, thick smoothies, and anything with chunks in it. The Bamboo Straws 20 cm with diameter 10 mm (10 pieces, € 2.99) are the thickest option in our range here.
Also, consider the length in proportion to your glass. A 22 cm straw will stick out considerably from a normal long drink glass; for a tall shaker cup or a lidded cup, you'll need that length. For cups from 150 to 250 ml, 20 cm is usually already on the long side.
Paper: cheap, disposable, with a time limit in the glass
Paper straws are the logical choice for a party where you serve a hundred drinks in one evening and don't want to wash anything up afterward. They are lightweight, inexpensive per piece, and can be disposed of with general waste or paper recycling, depending on the coating.
The well-known limitation: they don't last endlessly in a liquid. For a drink that's finished within fifteen minutes, you'll hardly notice it. For a cocktail someone walks around with for an hour at a garden party, you will. Therefore, for a long evening, it's better to have an extra box ready than to leave your guests with a soggy straw.
Plastic and PVC: sturdy, bendable, reusable if desired
Plastic straws are sturdy, don't bend, and are available in a bendable version with an accordion piece — handy for cups with lids or if you're handing a drink to someone who isn't lifting the glass. They can also be rinsed and reused, provided you rinse them thoroughly and let them dry.
Bamboo straws are thicker than most paper and plastic variants and feel sturdier in hand. They are designed for repeated use, and that works well as long as you rinse them immediately after use and let them dry upright. If you leave a bamboo straw with milk or syrup residue for a day, the flavor will soak in and be difficult to remove.
Metal: the longest lifespan, provided you have a brush
A metal straw lasts for years and doesn't change the taste of your drink. However, it does conduct heat and cold, so with an ice-cold drink, the straw will immediately feel cold on your lips. Clean it with a narrow brush; rinsing alone is not enough for metal, as you cannot see if the inside is clean.
For a party, don't count on one straw per guest. People put down their glass, grab a new drink, and take a new straw. A workable rule of thumb:
Drinks reception of two to three hours: approximately two straws per guest.
Full evening party: three to four per guest.
Children's party: count on four per child — one always falls on the floor.
For reusable straws (bamboo, metal), the calculation is different: you buy one per person, plus a few spares, and most importantly, you ensure you have enough rinsing space.
The four materials side by side
Material
Reusable
Strongest point
Note
Paper
No
Cheap per piece, no washing up
Collapses if left too long
Plastic / PVC
Limited
Sturdy, flexible, dimensionally stable
Rinse and dry thoroughly
Bamboo
Yes
Thick diameter, sturdy in hand
Absorbs odors if left too long
Metal
Yes
Lasts for years, taste-neutral
Requires a brush, gets cold
What you usually need in addition
A straw is rarely the only purchase. For coffee or tea at an event, the Coffee Cups 150 ml (100 pieces, € 14.95) are a practical base. For a drinks reception where shots are also served, the Shot Glass Set 6 pieces of 60 ml (€ 3.00) is an inexpensive addition that you'll continue to use for years.
Also consider a place to collect used straws. An open bin next to the bar will save you half an hour of searching among the glasses at the end of the evening.
Ordering and questions
All variants from this article can be found in the Straws collection. If you're setting up an entire bar or buffet, also check out Glasses and Coolers and Ice Cubes. If you're unsure which diameter suits your drinks, or want to know what's needed per number of guests? Feel free to email info@verpakkingdeals.nl — we'd be happy to calculate it with you.
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