After 25 years of designing and building custom kitchens…I’ll explain. First, we want to address the use of wood for cutting boards. 

In contrast to plastic, composite, or titanium, wood is a natural and renewable material that is innately antimicrobial and no friend to bacteria. Of course, there may be a slight cost related to wood cutting boards compared to “other” materials. 

Why No Plastic or Titanium?

I think it’s safe to state the fact that plastic is just a bad idea. It’s widely proven that microplastics cause cancer. Composite materials used for cutting boards commonly use resins that can create cancer risks as well. 

Although both are considered “dishwasher” safe…we’re not fans of the “health risk”. Another product that has come on the scene of late is titanium. Of course, they are thin, easy to store, and dishwasher safe, but…who wants to use their beautiful chef knife on that surface? 

Why No Metal?

What about the potential for metallic residue? Metal, glass, and stone boards are proven to be tough on knives. They are loud, slippery, and, quite frankly, in my opinion, unattractive.

What About Bamboo?

So, that brings us to bamboo, which is widely considered to be eco-friendly, sustainable, affordable, and also naturally antimicrobial. Moso bamboo is the species commonly used for cutting boards and is considered to be a weed. After processing, it takes a considerable amount of glue and adhesives for the construction of cutting boards, as it’s very fibrous. It’s considered very hard, which is tough on knives, but also requires lots of oil to keep it from cracking and splintering. Although we feel bamboo boards have their place in any kitchen for small tasks, they just can’t compare to the beauty and function of the more traditional wood cutting boards. 

Why No Other Wood?

Over the years, I’ve designed and installed dozens of custom cutting boards in kitchens of all sizes. From Maple and White Oak to Walnut and Cherry boards. 

Each has its own distinct attributes and beauty. All the domestic wood harvested in this country is, for the most part, sustainable, which is obviously good for the environment. Most of this material is considered “new growth” and is likely to be unstable, resulting in wider growth rings, lower density, and less heartwood. 

Unfortunately, this makes it more susceptible to issues like warping, shrinking, cracking,g and rot. Taking all this information and my experience into consideration, I was drawn to Teak.

Why Does Teak Seem Too Good to be True?

 Listing all the attributes of Teak seems almost too good to be true. Teak naturally resists rot, insects, and decay. It doesn’t corrode when in contact with steel and is naturally very antimicrobial. 

Why Teak Wood is the Best Option?

Though I have worked with Burmese Teak over the years, using it in different millwork projects, I decided to go a slightly different route.  I specifically chose the plantation grown, farm-raised, FSC-certified “new growth” Teak as it’s much more sustainable. The soil chemistry and climate where this Teak is grown significantly impacts its quality. 

The Teak we source is grown in Costa Rica in conditions that closely mimic its natural habitat. It is managed with appropriate thinning and pruning practices that produce timber with density and stability close to that of old-growth wood. 

Although the Burmese Teak grown in Myanmar is truly inferior as it has a high silica content, uniform color, and “anti-skid” texture which is unmatched…we preferred the lighter tones and drastic difference in color between the heart and sap wood of the plantation grown Teak. As a cutting board should almost always stay indoors, the need for the high silica content to prevent rot isn’t necessary.  

The next most important step in utilizing plantation grown teak is the kiln drying process. Typically, the teak will be stacked with spacers in a kiln and slowly steam-heated to reduce the moisture content in the wood down to about 8% to 10%. 

This process is key to ensuring stability and reducing shrinkage and cracking. For the record, as of today, out of the hundreds of boards that we’ve sold, we’ve only had 5 returned due to cracking. 

FYI, three of those were user errors, one of which actually got run over by the delivery truck, as we have a picture of the shipping box. I specifically wanted to use 1” wide strips or staves that get glued together to create the width of our cutting board. 

I wanted a nice mix of heart and sapwood for the color variation that gives the True Board its beauty and texture. The glue used is an FDA-approved, nontoxic Titebond III. It’s waterproof and solvent-free for indirect food contact. This adhesive, used in conjunction with the plantation grown Teak, ensures a long-lasting

and a beautiful cutting board that will live in your kitchen for a lifetime. With proper maintenance, washing, and oiling, the Teak True Board will have the potential to be handed down over time. Raise IT up!!