From school lunches to work meals, bento boxes provide us with convenient and healthy eating options. So, what is the history of bento boxes? How did it evolve to what it is today? Let's review the origin and development of bento boxes.
The origin of bento boxes can be traced back to the Japanese culture of "bento". The history of bento dates back to the 12th century, when Japanese samurai would pack food into wooden or bamboo containers to enjoy on the go.
Development Stages
Edo Period (1603-1868): During the Edo period, bento gradually evolved into an art form. People began to use more exquisite containers and diverse ingredients to make colorful bento.
Meiji Restoration (1868): With the introduction of Western culture, the design and materials of bento boxes also changed. Western food, such as sandwiches and salads, began to be added to the contents of bento.
Modernization and Industrialization (20th Century): After entering the 20th century, the production of bento boxes began to be industrialized. The use of new materials such as plastic and stainless steel has made lunch boxes lighter and more durable.
Diversification of contemporary lunch boxes: As people pay more attention to healthy eating, the design of lunch boxes has also paid more and more attention to nutrition and functionality. The lunch box is equipped with a partition function, which can store different types of food separately to maintain taste and freshness.
With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, many brands have begun to launch lunch boxes made of reusable and environmentally friendly materials. These lunch boxes not only meet the trend of sustainable development, but also meet consumers' needs for health and environmental protection.
Whether it is office workers, students or housewives, lunch boxes play an important role in our daily lives. By understanding the history and evolution of lunch boxes, we may be able to better cherish and use this gadget in life.