Benefits of using olive wood in the kitchen

Patri, author of Sabores y Momentos , has only recently acquired the olive wood cutting board from Bérard . When she bought it, I told her that she would notice the difference when working with this board, because this wood is nothing like any other. Its touch is much softer, and its appearance is charming. But this wood has many other advantages that she has already discovered, and that I recommend you don't miss.

Today I bring you an interesting article about wooden boards to work with our ingredients in the kitchen. But not just any boards, but olive wood. Among the characteristics of olive wood, we find that it is one of the hardest and most compact species. And a fact that I found curious and that I didn't know is that, once the trunk is exhausted or sick, it sends out new shoots that allow it to survive; for this reason, in ancient times it was considered an immortal tree, you didn't know that?

Olive wood is considered one of the most beautiful, dense and resistant woods. It is greenish ochre in colour with irregular brown veins that form very characteristic patterns. It is very attractive due to its shapes, and its colour varies over time. It has a silky feel that makes it very pleasant to work with. It is long-lasting and has a certain plasticity. In addition, it does not dry for too long, which is why it is even used to make axe and hoes handles. The production of olive wood materials is very limited due to the difficulty of handling them due to the various factors mentioned above, such as their hardness, grain, drying... This is why the production of olive wood pieces is still very artisanal. Although it is true that more and more olive wood kitchen boards and other utensils are seen in markets, fairs and shops, the presence of these artisanal products, made by hand by families that continue the tradition generation after generation.

This is the case of the French firm Bérard , which has been making wooden utensils since 1892 in Saint-Laurent-en-Royans, between the French Alps and the Côte d'Azur. Its manufacturing process is respectful of forests and the environment. Each piece is handcrafted, making the most of the available wood. No two pieces are the same. In addition, everything is done using a sustainable process in which the leftover material is used to heat both the drying chamber and the facilities themselves, so there is no waste of wood.

The creation of a handcrafted piece of olive wood is not a job to be undertaken lightly. It requires a very thorough preparation of the wood before the craftsman can begin to work on it. Among these tasks we can highlight: felling, which is carried out at the end of the olive campaign and consists of cutting the unproductive or annoying branches from the olive tree for the olive harvest; the selection of the most suitable branches by size; and drying, which consists of burying and unearthing the branches selected for the different pieces and which can even last a year. Once the wood is well dried, the environmentally friendly wooden utensils are made. In this way we can find spoons, mortars, boards, and olive wood plates as the most common handcrafted objects made from olive wood.

And now I'll tell you why I'm convinced that this wood is the most suitable for making kitchen utensils! Olive wood is ideal for use in the kitchen as it has antibacterial properties and its wood is one of the most resistant to stains, fungi and odours. In addition, thanks to its low porosity, it does not absorb liquids or flavours, making it perfect for cutting fresh produce. And don't forget the pleasure of cooking or eating with olive wood cutlery. They are ideal for cooking with love!

Another of its virtues is that olive wood does not require special care. It is only advisable to apply a thin layer of oil from time to time to maintain its colour. For daily maintenance, simply wash it by hand after use and dry it in an upright position to remove excess water.

After all this I have told you, I have it clear: to work in the kitchen, always on an olive wood board! Here are links to some of my latest recipes where you can see that the Bérard cutting board is my faithful companion!

- Cod, Onion and Leek Quiche {with homemade shortcrust pastry}

- Chocolate cake with coffee and Jerez Brandy

- Grilled Chicken and Cheese Sandwich {Easy Dinner Recipe}

- Cauliflower and broccoli gratin with ham