The Truth About Cutting Boards

Not all cutting boards are made equal. In fact, there has been a long-standing debate in the food world about what type of cutting board is the best to use- plastic, bamboo or wood? We happen to be slightly biased towards the latter but, in an effort to be fair, we took a closer look at each of these materials and what researchers have to say about them. 

It’s commonly thought that plastic cutting boards are the most sanitary. However, studies have shown that plastic surfaces retain more bacteria than wooden ones. As the board becomes knife-scarred, it creates crevices that breed bacteria. While they are economic, they are not ideal for keeping a clean and healthy kitchen space.

Bamboo has become a top choice for the kitchen because it is a sustainable, renewable resource. But, what you might not know is that bamboo goes through an intense process of manipulation before it can be made into a cutting board. The bamboo fibers are flattened then compressed and finally glued with adhesives that contain toxic formaldehyde resins. Over time, the glue that holds these cutting boards together will begin to warp and can ultimately contaminate the foods being prepared. In addition, bamboo is a harder material than traditional wood, so it will dull your knives quite quickly. Bottom line- bamboo is a hard, durable surface for chopping but it isn’t worth risking the toxins that are locked inside. 

In contrast to both plastic and bamboo cutting boards, wood is self-healing and is also proven to have antibacterial properties. Because of this, wood is recognized as the most ideal surface for cutting and chopping. For centuries, wooden cutting boards have been used to prepare food and etúHOME prides itself on producing only the highest quality boards that are crafted in the same way European artisans did long ago. Every cutting board we sell is hand crafted from wood that is reclaimed from European buildings that are slated for demolition. So when you buy etúHOME boards, you can be confident that no trees were harvested in their production. Our boards are a lifetime investment and to ensure that, we recommend hand-washing your boards with warm, soapy water and regularly applying food-grade mineral oil.

Now that we know the truth about cutting boards, purchase your own etúHOME piece now!