Wooden cutting boards

Buy a wooden cutting board

A wooden cutting board is a purely natural product. You can see it in the beautiful grain of the wood, but it has another large benefit: no microplastics end up in your food. Wooden cutting boards are also more hygienic than you might think. Grooves in a plastic board partly close around dirt, while wood opens up during washing, so you can simply rinse the grooves clean. What’s more, the tannins in the wood kill a large proportion of bacteria.

Because wood is a natural material, it does react to its surroundings: it absorbs moisture, expands and contracts, and can warp or crack if not treated properly. That’s why wooden cutting boards cannot go in the dishwasher and need some maintenance.

Large wooden cutting board or small wooden cutting board?

Wooden cutting boards come in different thicknesses and sizes. A large wooden cutting board is a must-have if you enjoy cooking elaborate meals and want plenty of room to work. The sturdy wood provides a stable cutting surface and, compared with plastic cutting boards, gives your kitchen a more luxurious look and a more robust feel. A thicker board also gives you a more comfortable working height if your worktop is a little low. Large boards are harder to store, but they make a real statement on your worktop. If your board needs to fit in a kitchen cupboard, or you mostly use it to quickly chop some fruit or vegetables, a smaller board is more practical.

Most cutting boards are rectangular, but round versions are also available. You can also use a beautifully shaped board to serve bread or snacks. Curious about other options? Then explore all cutting boards and choose the type that best suits your cooking style.

Wooden cutting boards by type of wood

Every type of wood has its own look and features. Harder woods resist wear better, while slightly softer woods are gentler on your knives. Here’s how to choose the board that suits you:

• Beech wood cutting board: light in colour with a fine, subtle grain. Hard, dense and wear-resistant: an affordable all-rounder for everyday use.
• Acacia wood cutting board: warm, lively grain with light and dark tones. Very hard and naturally resistant to moisture.
• Walnut wood cutting board: an elegant, dark chocolate brown. Slightly softer, making it especially gentle on your knives. A real eye-catcher on your worktop.
• Oak wood cutting board: robust, clearly visible grain. Hard, sturdy and rich in tannins.
• Bamboo cutting board: light in colour and made from strips glued together. Bamboo is actually a type of grass. Affordable and sustainable because it grows quickly, but it is a little harder and therefore tougher on your knife.
• Olive wood cutting board: an elegant, unique flame-like pattern. Very hard and ideal as a serving board.
• Teak wood cutting board: golden brown with natural oils that make it resistant to moisture. It is relatively hard, though, and its silica content makes it a little less gentle on your knives.
• End-grain cutting board: Not a type of wood, but a finish with a block pattern. You cut across the ends of the wood, and the fibres then close up again. It is better for your knives and leaves fewer scratches in the wood.
• Hinoki wood cutting board: Japanese cypress with a light, soft yellow colour and a fresh scent. Softer wood, so it is especially gentle on your knives. Ideal for the delicate edges of thin Japanese kitchen knives.

Antibacterial effect

Wooden cutting boards are more hygienic than you might think. Grooves in a plastic board partly close around dirt, so you cannot wash it all away. Wood, on the other hand, opens up during cleaning, so you can simply rinse the grooves clean. What’s more, the tannins in the wood kill a large proportion of bacteria.

How to care for a wooden cutting board

We have noticed that many don't really know how to maintain a wooden cutting board. How do you make sure that a nice wooden cutting board will stay good for years to come? We will give you all tips and tricks and tell you step by step how you can enjoy your wooden cutting board to its full extent. You can read all about it in our info topic: How do you maintain a wooden cutting board?