Are Camphor Laurel Chopping Boards Safe?

A customer asked the other day if Camphor Laurel chopping boards were safe for use with food. She said she had read on the internet that Camphor Laurel can be dangerous.

There is no doubt that camphor laurel, like eucalyptus or peanuts, can, be the cause of of individual allergies, and the use of refined camphor oil does require considerable caution.

However, even the most ardent opponents of camphor laurel don't usually claim processed boards are dangerous.

Our supplier quotes a 2002 report about camphor laurel boards which had this to say:

"there is no evidence to suggest that food contact with Camphor laurel wood (particularly after curing) would produce any adverse effects.

There is no guarantee, as there cannot be with any substance, that a particular individual will not be allergic to any of the chemicals in timber, but most of them commonly occur in foods & confectionery."

The report contains references to a number of the natural chemicals which are found not only in found in Camphor Laurel but in Eucalyptus oil, sassafras, nutmeg, star anise, cinnamon, cacao, lavender and black pepper.

Together these compounds combine to deliver great anti-bacterial properties plus a semi-hard board which is kind to knives and not susceptible to knife gouges which can harbour bacteria.

I have read quite a lot about camphor laurel over the past 2 years and I have never seen a credible claim (as opposed to "a friend of a friend") or any evidence that these natural boards are anything other than a magnificent, natural product.

Our boards are not raw timber, and have been kiln dried so they are quite inert.

Germs Hate Timber Cutting Boards

Like most of us, all a hard working bacteria wants is a nice, safe to live and for germs like salmonella and e.coli, a cutting board can represent a prime piece of kitchen real estate

But for germs, as for people, some neighbourhoods are safer and more desirable than others. The debate on which cutting board material is least attractive to bacteria has been going on for years and like the germs themselves shows no sign of disappearing.

Not so long ago a friend of mine purchased one of those new silicon cutting boards which have been popping up in stores all over the place. She was immensely proud of the colorful board and the shop assistant had told her that plastics are the cleanest option for food preparation.

H-O-G-W-A-S-H!

Plastic is absolutely discredited as a chopping board material!

Plastic boards are easily scored by knives which leaves little nooks and crannies on an uneven surface for bacteria to hide and multiply.

I found a great review on plastic, timber and marble cutting boards and their germ-friendliness at MSN Health recently. In that experiment wood was a clear winner over plastic and marble cutting boards.

Timber cutting boards have the edge because hard wood boards are too tough to be bothered by knife marks and the capillary effect of wet wood grain sucks bacteria into the board where it is killed as the board dries.

It was interesting that marble, which is really hard, is still not as clean as timber. Why? Because it's strength (a tough, impervious surface) is also weakness.

When a marble board is washed, the bacteria the germs are transported all over board like a water slide and they set up colonies right across the board's surface. The MSN study found too many colonies to count on their sample while for wood, the bacteria aren't spread.

Before you ask, a glass cutting board behaves exactly the same way as marble.

Over at Charcool, were have never had any doubts about the superiority of timber cutting boards. They are much nicer to look at; friendlier to knives and harbour fewer germs but we have one more ace up our sleeve. Our timber cutting boards are made from camphor laurel timber.

Camphor laurel is like the Sahara for germs:

• the hard grain means no knife marks;
• the boards are made from a single piece of wood so there is no chance of delamination allowing bacteria to slip into the cracks and multiply
• the naturally anti-bacterial effect of the camphor gives extra protection.

Voila, a grem retardant trifecta!

Alan Waterson, from the Southern Cross University in Lismore, Australia did a study into the antibacterial properties of several cutting boards and found camphor laurel beat cedar, plastic and glass hands down.

"Camphor Laurel Timber, as tested here, was the most effective food preparation surface with regard to reducing microbial growth.

"This appears to be a result of the nature of wood in general, & the presence in this particular wood of anti-microbial substances, which are also known to occur naturally in edible products".

Caring for Timber Cutting Boards

Caring for your new camphor laurel timber cutting board couldn't be easier.

Camphor laurel cutting boards are simple to keep clean and require very little maintenance but here are some tips to keep your board looking and smelling like new:

Regular Cleaning.

Simply wash your board in warm soapy water and wipe it with grapeseed oil every few months or whenever timber appears dry.

Let your board completely air dry before storing.

NEVER leave a timber cutting board soaking in water. Timber is porous and it will quickly saturate and never use a bleach which will destroy the natural antibacterial properties of the board.

A dishwasher is an evil environment for a timber cutting board combining all the terrors of: soaking; chemical bleach and very hot water. PLEASE AVOID.

Dealing with knife marks

All timber boards are marked by sharp knives. Firstly, don't fixate on this. The ability of timber boards to absorb and reflect regular use is one of their charms and contributes to the uniqueness of your board.

Camphor laurel's unique long grain only allows surface marks, not deep gouging, burring or splintery edges that can develop with other timbers.

If you feel your board could use a quick make-over, you can lightly sand the surface back every couple of years and then re-oil with grapeseed oil.

The side- benefit of a light sand for your board is that it will refresh the camphor smell if it fades over time.

After sanding don't forget to oil.

Grapeseed oil is terrific for timber boards because doesn’t oxidize as quickly as other vegetable oils and won’t go rancid. Most vegetable oils go tacky; smelly and change color when left on the board and grapeseed oil leaves no taste.

Aussie Camphor Laurel Best for Timber Cutting Boards

With timber cutting boards available the world over and made from so many different species of wood, it's hard to get a handle on what is the best material.

In Australia we are blessed with the Camphor Laurel tree which has so many unique qualities that it must rank amongst the world's best timber cutting board material.

Camphor Laurel timber cutting boards have a beautiful, rich-honey coloured grain which combine with a clean, fresh camphor smell to make a wonderful first impression from the moment they are arrive.

Australian Cinnamomum Camphora arrived from Asia in the 1820s and easily established itself in it's new home, dominating many areas of the east coast of New South Wales and Queensland.

However the tree quickly became an unwelcome guest by displacing the native vegetation. These days culling the tree provides the perfect material for your new timber cutting board.

For example you could choose a Camphor Laurel timber cutting board just because they are so beautiful but don't forget they are also naturally anti-bacterial; easy to maintain and have a distinctive, calming smell!

And while many hard wood timber cutting boards can damage your knife edges, camphor laurel is a hard wood or medium density that is kind to your knives and so much loved by chefs and butchers.

But that's not the end of Camphor Laurel's advantages as a cutting board material.

Each of Charcool's timber cutting boards is made from a single, unique piece of camphor laurel timber which ensures a lifetime of durability. They have two contrasting Australian red gum handles screwed, then glued to either end, making them stable, easy to carry and oh-so attractive.

So, forget the mass produced anonymity of plastic, glass or glued laminates, the very best timber cutting boards in the world are right here in Australia.

Timber Cutting Boards

Nothing quite compares with the look, feel and natural advantages of a cutting board made from a single piece of 100% Aussie timber.

Our boards are produced from Australian Camphor Laurel - a wood that is natuarally anti-bacterial, kind to your knives and smells nice to boot!

Sustainable

Our boards are made from Australian Camphor Laurel Timber (cinnamomum camphora) with Red Gum handles that come from sustainable resources.

Camphor Laurel is an introduced species originally hailing from Asia and was introduced to Australia in the 1820s.

Since it was introduced in 1822 it has spread right along eastern Australia.

Whilst undeniably attractive, Camphor Laurel has proven to be an unwelcome guest.

Camphor Laurel is quick to replace native species and to invade pastures.

For these and other reasons, Camphor Laurel is classified a Class 3 plant (unable to be planted and removal recommended) in Queensland with similar "Not Welcome" signs hung out in other states.

However, the simple removal and destruction of these trees makes little economic or environmental sense. Government resources are not available to publicly fund significant eradication and it is thought the best solution to the Camphor Laurel problem lies in making a virtue of necessity.

So value adding, by using the timber to produce camphor oil or furniture, cutting boards, doors, step treads etc, is a more practicable way of reducing the stock of these unwanted trees.

Anti-Bacterial

An obvious by-product of Camphor Laurel is the distinctive camphor oil which was used medicinally; in incense; as a food flavouring and in the production of smokeless gunpowder and celluloid film.

Camphor oil contributes to the naturally Anti-Bacterial properties of cutting boards.

These properties offer a rich smell and texture and coupled with a unique design produces a chopping board that makes an attractive, sustainable and environmentally positive statement.

After being University tested and proven to be the best timber for cutting boards and food preparation these Australian made boards stand out even more as the best product and choice.

To see of our range of beautiful Aussie timber cutting boards visit our site.