Wooden Cutting Boards

What are cutting boards ?
Cutting boards are the chopping boards which are made of wood , plastic and glass. It is easier to clean wooden and plastic cutting boards but glass boards are damaging to knives. That is why wooden cutting boards are very popular.

“Wooden Cutting / Chopping Boards" are classic and definitive kitchen accessories. They have flat surface that helps in chopping , mincing and slicing your foodstuff more easily and comfortably. Chiefly used to cut fruits and vegetables, wooden cutting boards may also be used to chop fish and meat. They come in handy while preparing snacks and sandwiches. Wooden cutting boards also have broad grooves to collect vegetable juices and can later be used for soups and gravies.


Woods Used
The woods used for making chopping boards are mainly hardwood like :

• » Indian Rosewood: It is very hard wood and has a dark reddish brown color. It is fragrant and close grained. It is hard to work and takes high polish.
• » Walnut: It is fine textured wood . It is strong and easy to work with. It resists shrinking and warping and finishes well.
• » Sheesham: It is a rich medium brown wood with deep grains. It is a part of the rosewood family. The wood variety is highly is durable and easily carved.
• » Birch: It is a hard and moisture- resistant wood variety. It has a distinct feature of reddening, when exposed to sunlight. It ages well. It has immense strength and hardness.

Designs, Textures and Finish
Wooden cutting boards are available in many designs. They may be rectangular, square, paddle-shaped or round with/without handles and feet. Laminated strips of bamboo are used to decorate the handles.
Wooden cutting boards are a favorite kitchen accessory because of their self-healing, antiseptic properties. Shallow cuts in wooden chopping boards close on their own. They have a very smooth surface. They are coated with various finishes like :

• » Food-safe mineral oil finishes: They are light and provide cutting boards resistance.
• » Vegetable/edible oil finishes
• » High-gloss oil sheen is used which is durable and used to accent surfaces.
• » Beeswax Top Coat:It helps to keep moisture, bacteria, and other contaminants from getting into the wood surface.
• » Walnut or Almond Oil: These are natural oils and do not turn rancid as easily as other oils.

Some safety tips

• » Choose a board with a smooth and hard surface.
• » Replace cutting boards that become deeply carved , scratched or grooved.
• » Clean your cutting board after each use .
• » Clean your cutting board after each use .
• » Don't leave a wooden cutting board in standing water. It will cause the wood to split.
• » To maintain an attractive finish, use a food-safe mineral oil to polish your cutting board.
• » Sanitize cutting boards from time-to-time with a mixture of one teaspoon of chlorine bleach to one quart of water.
• » Let cutting boards dry completely, do not stack together or with other kitchen gear so that they remain wet.
• » Store cutting boards so that they stay clean, dry and do not touch raw meat, poultry or seafood or their drippings.