Types of drinking straws
A basic drinking straw is straight for the full length.
A bendable straw or "bendy straw" has a concertina-type hinge near the top for convenience. This variation was invented by Joseph Friedman in 1937
A "crazy" straw or artistic straw is hard plastic and has a number of twists and turns at the top. When liquid is sucked through the straw, it quickly flows through the winding path, creating a mildly entertaining spectacle.
A spoon straw features a cut-away shape at one end that functions as a miniature spoon. It is intended for slush drinks.
Candy straws, such as licorice straws (or lico-straws), are made from some type of chewy candy.
A miniature straw often comes attached to a drink box.
A wide straw is used for sipping bubble tea. The larger diameter is necessary to accommodate the drink's characteristic tapoica balls. Also for stirring.
"Sanitary" straws are individually wrapped to avoid contamination. Straws were originally marketed as a means for people to reduce the risk of contracting an illness from improperly washed containers, glasses, or cups.
The Sipahh. A drinking straw that contains flavoured tapioca beads that dissolve as milk passes over them to add colour and flavour.
Polypropylene is becoming favored over polystyrene for manufacturing plastic straws as polystyrene is brittle and tends to crack easily. It is also denser than water, causing straws to sink when placed into beverages. Polypropylene straws, by contrast, are much more durable and do not sink.
Special "color-changer" straws given with meals at Friendly's change color as cold liquid passes through them.
A bendable straw or "bendy straw" has a concertina-type hinge near the top for convenience. This variation was invented by Joseph Friedman in 1937
A "crazy" straw or artistic straw is hard plastic and has a number of twists and turns at the top. When liquid is sucked through the straw, it quickly flows through the winding path, creating a mildly entertaining spectacle.
A spoon straw features a cut-away shape at one end that functions as a miniature spoon. It is intended for slush drinks.
Candy straws, such as licorice straws (or lico-straws), are made from some type of chewy candy.
A miniature straw often comes attached to a drink box.
A wide straw is used for sipping bubble tea. The larger diameter is necessary to accommodate the drink's characteristic tapoica balls. Also for stirring.
"Sanitary" straws are individually wrapped to avoid contamination. Straws were originally marketed as a means for people to reduce the risk of contracting an illness from improperly washed containers, glasses, or cups.
The Sipahh. A drinking straw that contains flavoured tapioca beads that dissolve as milk passes over them to add colour and flavour.
Polypropylene is becoming favored over polystyrene for manufacturing plastic straws as polystyrene is brittle and tends to crack easily. It is also denser than water, causing straws to sink when placed into beverages. Polypropylene straws, by contrast, are much more durable and do not sink.
Special "color-changer" straws given with meals at Friendly's change color as cold liquid passes through them.