If you want to create an authentically rustic and attractive kitchen chopping board, it all starts with having the right wood materials to hand. There are many different styles of cutting board - from plastic to glass, quartz mineral and even marble - but none really match up to the beauty of natural wood.
Blending seamlessly into any kitchen and accentuating the refinery associated with traditional gastronomy and country living, wooden chopping boards really make a statement. But good looks aren't all that wood has to offer...
Wooden chopping boards also provide a hard surface that is perfectly suited to the wear and tear of food preparation and even offer protection against bacteria thanks to the antimicrobial properties of wood.
So, how do you go about choosing the best wood for a chopping board? In our latest blog, Woodshop Direct are going to cut to the heart of what's needed to create a great cutting board; exploring the best woods to make a beautiful, robust and food-safe surface.
#1. Maple
The cutting board all-rounder.
This hardwood is a brilliant and versatile choice for a wooden chopping board. Maple not only looks great, it's also hard enough to protect against scratches and dents caused by frequent use. It comes with a close end grain and a dense overall quality, making it durable and resilient to water penetration and bacterial accumulation.
#2. Beech
For the hardest chopping surfaces.
Beech is one of the hardest wooden chopping board materials you're likely to find. Great for busy kitchens and heavy use, this wood is not only highly scratch resistant, it can be used pretty roughly and carelessly without it splitting in half or showing signs of damage and wear. The hardness can potentially result in the dulling of kitchen utensils, but the dense, moisture and bacteria repellent wood grain will more than make up for any shortcomings.
#3. Ash
The attractive hardwood of choice.
This light coloured hardwood is known for its low maintenance qualities, easy workability and brilliant shock resistance. However, the most compelling attribute associated with ash wood is its stunning visual appeal that consists of a remarkably straight grain pattern, giving the wood a distinctive uniform appearance. This makes it the perfect choice for smart, professional looking kitchen utensils.
#4. Walnut
Combat food staining with a darker wood.
This hard, close-grained wood type will give you a tough and bacteria-resistant surface, but Walnut's central asset is its dark, rich colour tone. This distinctive wood is brilliant for working with and alongside foods that cause staining, such as tomatoes, dark fruits and curry sauces. Take advantage of the darker colour which will help mask the visual evidence of staining far better than any light or pale wood choices on this list. Bear in mind that Walnut is comparatively softer than the likes of beech and maple so scratches and dents can be more apparent.
#5. Cherry
The self-healing cutting board.
Cherry hardwood is a popular choice for its durable and non-toxic qualities, but it also comes with another incredible attribute... Cherry has a unique, self-repairing cell structure, meaning that it can heal itself when subjected to superficial damage such as light surface scratches caused by kitchen knives.
