What kind of wood to choose a cutting board? Why are some better than others.

There are many types of trees in the world, hundreds of which are used for timber production. So why are only a few considered the best for use in the kitchen? Ash, oak, maple, cherry, bamboo, walnut or olive wood are usually the most common. What makes them so special? The answer goes beyond the quality or hardness of the wood and involves several factors. In we will look at the main limitations, using as an example an everyday tool: a cutting board.

The best wood for the kitchen

The kitchen is an intensive workplace. This implies wear and tear, so the best wood for a kitchen should be hard and dense in texture. As a rule, ash and oak have a higher density, so they are more durable and water resistant. This makes them an ideal material for making cutting boards.

But everything is not so simple. Scratches or cuts from a knife can expose the fibers of the wood, allowing water or bacteria to enter. Therefore, it is also important to impregnate cutting boards, which will prevent the penetration of bacteria and protect the boards from moisture. To do this, in our production we use high-quality natural oils that are safe in contact with food.

An example of our ash wood cutting board

If you like noble woods like olive wood, know that they are not always the best. As you know, it is important that the pores are small and the grain is very fine. In the case of the olive tree, for example, we are dealing with a hard but very porous wood. At the microscopic level, water accumulates in these pores, forming bacteria in a short time. For this reason, it is recommended to use woods such as ash, oak, maple, cherry or walnut with a finer texture after the surface has been polished.

wood toxicity

Another important point is toxicity. For the carpenter, this means exposure to dust and direct contact. If there are dangerous traces in the wood, they can cause irritation, allergies, or even poisoning. The end user is also not immune from this, as the wood will come into contact with food. Oils and resins can be filtered, which we must consider if the board we are going to buy is made from rare or exotic woods.

A prime example of this is teak or rosewood. Despite being a very hard and noble wood, they contain toxic substances that cause reactions in some people. Remember that even if you don’t notice anything, other people may be more sensitive.

Environmental impact

Have you ever wondered where the wood used to make cutting boards comes from? While environmental regulations ensure sustainable operation, this is not always the case. One way around this is to manufacture wooden planks in third world countries where labor is cheap and legislation is scarce. Therefore, it is important to know what kind of wood it is, its origin and method of manufacture. Remember that you will be using it almost daily and it will come into contact with food.

Thus, all these factors make the most commonly used wood for the kitchen — ash, oak, walnut, maple, cherry or bamboo. Some of them may be more expensive materials, but our health and daily life will appreciate it.

What do you choose?