Ideal Bite

Please Come to a Consensus, Because I’m Getting Board

First, let's have a collective groan for that headline. There. Much better.

So the big knock on wood cutting boards is that for years the government's experts trumpeted plastic as a superior choice, because it was thought to harbor fewer bacteria. Then the USDA revealed that they didn't have any, y'know, evidence to support their recommendation.

Now studies have shown that wood cutting boards are more sanitary than plastic ones. Of course, there's also data to support the reverse.

So it's probably safe to say that no one really knows for sure, that it depends on like 648,367 variables, and that if you buy a wood cutting board and clean it properly, you probably will not die.

If you want a little insurance, here's a tip: Grab a little spray bottle and fill it with a 4:1 mixture of water to white vinegar (toss in some salt too if you're paranoid). After you wash your board, a little spritz of that will go a long way toward sanitizing it.

-Senior Editor Mike...off to chop up some chard...

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See, if you're a Veg you don't have to worry about it as much!

Posted by: Mego! | January 14, 2009 at 10:53 AM

I love the cutting boards made by A Piece of Cleveland. http://apieceofcleveland.com/ They up-cycle reclaimed wood from houses they've deconstructed around Cleveland (and we have plenty of empty houses to deconstruct). Each gorgeous cutting board or piece of furniture they make comes with a "rebirth certificate" that tells you about the house, its owners, and the general history of the neighborhood. I love to give the cheese boards as gifts.

Posted by: Sarah Lou | January 14, 2009 at 11:24 AM

There is something to be said for being able to put boards in the dishwasher. Can't do that with wooden boards. As a former cook, and a person who is old as dirt, the plastic boards might not be green, but they are easier to maintain. We also use different colors for fruits versus onions and strong flavored foods. My greatest objection to the plastic boards is that they are all now made in China; I no longer buy anything related to food that is made in China.

Posted by: Laine B | January 15, 2009 at 10:55 AM

Is bamboo all it's really eco-cracked up to be? While the wood itself is fast growing and can be grown in a sustainable fashion, most of it is grown in Asia and transported half way around the world which has a big eco-impact – a lot of fuel is used so we can have our earth-friendly wood. Also, because bamboo itself is so thin, it must be laminated together with adhesive to form “lumber” that can then be worked with as any other type of wood. Not all bamboo products use healthy adhesives – an important issue when using it for something that food comes in contact with such as cutting boards. (I also worry about recent food export issues coming out of other countries which I don’t want in my cutting board) Just be aware of these issues so you can make sure you are achieve what you intend – healthy sustainability. Keep an eye out for bamboo grown in our hemisphere, and make sure that your bamboo is made with VOC (volatile organic compound) compliant adhesives.

Posted by: sara | January 15, 2009 at 01:34 PM

I liked the post and i want to have a tattoo with organic sensation.

Posted by: tattoo | January 21, 2009 at 03:01 PM