Can jute twine be used for cooking? - What to use instead?

Kitchen twine is very useful in the kitchen. Using kitchen twine to tie certain foods, such as poultry or meat, is not only functional, but also adds a different aesthetic.

So it was only a matter of time before people started using a bunch of different types, but not all string is the same, and not all are really safe to use.

Jute twine is especially pretty, but is it safe to use for cooking?

No, jute twine is not safe for cooking because the material from which it is made is highly flammable and releases too many tiny fibers into the food. It will burn and break easily in the oven.

In this article we will see jute thread and its characteristics, as well as other safer kitchen threads.

Why use kitchen string?

Kitchen twine is a very useful thing to have in the kitchen, especially if you cook a lot of meats. The main function of kitchen twine is to tie an object together and hold it together during the cooking process.

This not only allows you to create certain dishes, but also infuse the flavors into one another.

This is especially true when cooking whole poultry, such as chicken, and rolled meats, such as stuffed pork shoulder or gammon, but it can also be used to steam foods in parchment bags.

What is jute twine?

Jute yarn is a yarn made from the jute plant. It is made from the same fibers that are used to make burlap or jute cloth.

Jute is made from much more sustainable plants and is also very environmentally friendly, compostable and biodegradable.

It is a beautiful rope that has many different uses, especially decorative.

Is it safe to use it for cooking?

Jute twine, as beautiful as it is, should not be used for cooking. There are a few reasons why you should use an alternative twine.

First of all, if you’ve ever worked with a burlap sack, you know that the fibers come off everywhere - it’s a nightmare.

Since the jute twine is made of the same material, the same thing will happen, only this time it will come off all over your food.

And before you ask, no, there’s no way around it or fooling it. As soon as the fibers touch each other to join or tie a knot, little pieces will break off and go everywhere.

The second reason why you cannot use jute twine for cooking is that it is highly flammable. Jute fibers are extremely fine, and once exposed to heat in the oven, they will burn and break, defeating the purpose of tying an item together.

Jute twine should only be used for table decoration purposes.

The best twine for cooking

Although you can’t use jute twine, there are plenty of other twine that can be used for cooking. The best are butcher’s twine and cotton twine. Both are traditionally used for cooking.

Butcher’s twine is a broad name for twine that includes those made from cotton and linen, both of which are very sustainable materials.

It is the best type of twine to use for tying up poultry, tying up roasts, and securing stuffed ingredients. These are just a drop in the ocean of what this twine can be used for.

The thread is available in various thicknesses and is very safe for food. It does not give off fibers like jute twine and is also much more resistant to heat. You can leave this twine in the oven for hours before it breaks.

If you’re looking for a good twine to use around the kitchen, we like this cotton twine from trusted brand Norpro.

Related questions

What types of strings should be avoided?

A short list of twine that should not be used for cooking includes hemp twine, jute twine, synthetic twine, and polypropylene twine.

Decorative twine should also not be used, as they sometimes contain dangerous chemicals and dyes that you don’t want getting into your food. This includes the pretty striped baker’s twine.

Is nylon twine safe for cooking?

Nylon is a synthetic material and is not safe for cooking. The only nylon exception would be some dental floss.

However, it’s best to stick with proven kitchen twine to avoid toxins in your food and even kitchen fires.

Can dental floss be used as kitchen string?

This may seem very strange, but if you’re in a pinch, yes, you can use dental floss as cooking string.

Dental floss only contains ingredients or coatings that are safe to consume because it is a product for your mouth.

However, it’s important to remember to use unflavored floss, as mint-flavored waxed floss imparts its flavor to your food.

It’s a very handy and strong piece of twine that can tie meat together and even help layer a puffy pie