News

what chopping board is best for keeping knives sharp

If you want to keep your knives sharp for 5 to 10 years of regular use, the best chopping board is a medium to large wooden board made from end grain or fine grain hardwood or bamboo, such as a 45x35cm acacia or bamboo board that is at least 2cm thick. These boards are soft enough to protect the cutting edge, yet firm enough to stay flat and safe under the knife. Why your chopping board matters more than your sharpener You can own a £150 chef's knife and still end up with a dull edge in a few weeks...

Read more →


should I use separate boards for raw meat and veg

If you cook meat at home, you should use at least 2 separate chopping boards: one kept only for raw meat, poultry and fish, and one for veg, fruit and ready to eat foods. Food Standards Agency guidance links shared boards with higher cross contamination risk, while using two clearly separated boards can cut that risk by more than 50% in everyday home kitchens. Why you should use separate boards for raw meat and veg The main reason to keep raw meat and veg on different boards is simple: bacteria. Raw chicken, pork and mince can carry pathogens like Campylobacter...

Read more →


is bamboo hygienic for raw meat prep

If you clean it correctly within 2 minutes of use, high quality Moso bamboo is hygienic for raw meat prep and can safely replace plastic boards for many home cooks. The key is using a separate board for raw meat, washing with hot soapy water, then drying it upright so moisture and bacteria do not sit on the surface. Is bamboo hygienic for raw meat prep in everyday use? When people ask if bamboo is hygienic for raw meat prep, they are usually comparing it to plastic or glass. Food safety studies show that hardwood style boards, including Moso bamboo,...

Read more →


acacia vs bamboo cutting boards for raw chicken

If you want the safest everyday option for handling raw chicken, a dedicated Moso bamboo board such as the Deer & Oak Large Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.8kg) is usually better than acacia, because it is slightly harder, less porous and easier to keep dry and clean between uses. Acacia vs bamboo cutting boards for raw chicken: the short answer For most home cooks, a separate bamboo board for raw chicken is the most practical choice. Moso bamboo has a Janka hardness of roughly 1,380 lbf compared with acacia which typically ranges from 1,100 to 1,750 lbf, depending on the species....

Read more →