The cutting board is an often overlooked tool in the kitchen: "A cutting board is just a cutting board". When you work with a cutting board of poor quality or the wrong material, you will quickly notice how much influence the cutting board actually has on cooking. Apart from knives, the cutting board is perhaps one of the most important tools in the kitchen.
One of the much-debated topics when it comes to cutting boards is the choice of material. Most cutting boards are produced either in wood or plastic, but which is best?
In this article, we will try to give you information to make the right decision about which type of cutting board should adorn your kitchen, and we will discuss exactly why we have chosen to produce our own cutting boards in FSC-certified oak wood.
Hygiene
Intuitively, many would imagine that a plastic cutting board is the most sanitary choice. The thinking might be that a plastic cutting board has a less porous surface that is less susceptible to bacteria, or perhaps that it is easier to clean.
According to science (Source 1, source 2) it actually turns out that the opposite is true. In studies about cutting board sanitation, you get three exciting answers:
Science's answer 1: 99.9% of all bacteria are gone after 3-10 minutes on a wooden cutting board
Science's answer 2: Bacteria thrive fine and can multiply on plastic cutting boards (if not scalded)
Science's answer 3: Oak wood is best for combating bacteria
The explanation is actually logical:
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Wood absorbs the water that bacteria need to survive
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Wood produces its own natural antibacterial defense, which it uses to protect itself against bacteria in nature
When it comes to the hygiene of cutting boards, a wooden cutting board is the advantageous choice.
The Durability of the Cutting Board
Another consideration when it comes to choosing a cutting board is of course the durability of the cutting board. While the plastic cutting board will become worn, lose color and become damaged, a wooden cutting board can last many years without losing its nice appearance or function.
Wood is a very durable material that can withstand a lot of wear. However, if your wooden cutting board gets deep nicks and scratches, the cutting board can always be sanded with fine sandpaper and apply a coat of food oil, and it will look new again. When a plastic cutting board is worn, there is nothing to be done.
The Durability of Your Knives
A wooden cutting board has a surface that is very suitable for cutting. The wood creates a soft surface that is pleasant to cut on, without being so soft that knives get stuck or meet resistance. This surface is gentle on your knives and ensures that your knives stay sharp for longer.
Some plastic cutting boards can be found with the same hardness as wooden cutting boards, but these are far apart and most often plastic cutting boards will be either too soft or too hard, which in both cases will wear down your knives.
Aesthetics
Another important element when choosing a cutting board is the visual expression. While a plastic cutting board often appears sterile, wood has a warm glow and beautiful craftsmanship that adorns your kitchen.
Where does the wood come from?
Our cutting boards are handcrafted in FSC-approved oak wood from European forests, where each piece of oak wood is carefully selected, cut and glued together.
Conclusion
When comparing wooden and plastic cutting boards, the wooden cutting board will be the best choice for many. A wooden cutting board offers better hygiene, better durability, and ensures that your knives stay sharp for as long as possible. In addition, wooden cutting boards are a beautiful product that will last many years into the future.
Our cutting boards come in two different sizes: 30x20 cm or 45x25 cm and can also be purchased together as a set. The small cutting board is perfect for small cutting and slicing tasks, as well as plating. The large cutting board has a size that makes it suitable for all cutting tasks in your kitchen.
Read our guide to cleaning and care of wooden cutting boards here
