Articles
Trade insights, farming economics, cocktail history, and sustainability science — from the people who grow the original straw.
ProductNatural Straw vs Paper Straw
A side-by-side breakdown of mouthfeel, durability, environmental footprint, and cost — why the original straw wins every category.
IndustryWhy Paper Straws Suck
Paper straws were a well-marketed compromise. Here's the science on why they fail — and what bars are switching to instead.
HistoryThe History of the Drinking Straw
From Sumerian beer tubes to Marvin Stone's paper patent — the 5,000-year story of how humans decided to not drink directly from a vessel.
CommunityZero Waste PPE
How natural grass straws reduce disease transmission in shelters and community kitchens — a public health case study from Vancouver.
TradeWhy Bars Are Switching to Natural Straws
The premium bar market is moving away from paper and plastic. Here's what's driving the shift and what operators are saying.
EnvironmentCompostable vs Biodegradable Straws
The labels are not interchangeable. Understanding the difference matters for your waste program and your sustainability claims.
GuideCocktail Straw Sizing Guide
4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm — bore size affects mouthfeel, drink type, and presentation. A practical guide for bar managers and buyers.
WholesaleWholesale Straw Buying Guide
MOQs, pricing tiers, lead times, certifications — everything a purchasing manager needs to know before placing a wholesale order.
StoryFrom a BC Field to the World's Best Bars
How a farm in British Columbia became a supplier to premium hospitality venues across North America.
FarmingFarmers Growing Ecoware
The economics of growing natural straws as a premium crop — why it pays better than commodity grain and what farmers need to know.
FarmingThe Cheapest Crop
Commodity grain prices are set by global futures markets. Natural straw crops are priced by the buyer. Here's why that matters.
CultureCountry Cool
The aesthetic of the natural straw — why it fits equally in a tiki bar, a hotel lobby, a craft coffee shop, and a country kitchen.
BrandJust Gerald Seaweed Co.
From straws to seaweed — the next chapter in sustainable agriculture from the Shaffer Farms family.
Ask the Mixologist
Just Gerald's
Ask me anything about cocktails, our straws, wholesale pricing, partner farm programme, or available territories. I'm Just Gerald — mixologist's best friend, farmer, and straw obsessive.
Ask the Mixologist · Naturally Straws