What is the best wood for a cutting board?

Written by Corrado Fioroni | June 12 2025

Selecting the best wood for cutting boards is a strategic decision. For kitchenware brands, the type of wood used not only affects the performance of the product, but also its story, appearance and perceived value.

Cutting boards are everyday essentials, but in the right hands, they can become tactile statements of design and craftsmanship. The wood you select therefore defines how your board feels, wears and connects with your audience.

Read on to discover the most trusted wood species for cutting boards and how each can help to elevate your brand’s collection through thoughtful, purposeful design.

Why wood matters in cutting board design

The chopping board is one of the most frequently handled and relied upon items in the kitchen. It anchors the preparation process, frames the presentation and often becomes part of the ritual. That’s why the wood used for cutting boards is never chosen at random.

Unlike synthetic surfaces, wood provides an unbeatable combination of durability, knife-friendliness and visual warmth. It absorbs noise more effectively, protects blade edges and adds a refined, natural texture to the kitchen.

Wood brings together what today's customers care most about:

A natural, tactile feel that elevates everyday cooking;
Durability and resilience without damaging knife edges;
It is a sustainable, certified material that aligns with conscious living;
A timeless look that works across styles and collections.

The 4 best types of wood for cutting boards

Not all woods are created equal. Each species has its own unique characteristics, such as tone, grain, hardness and even scent, and choosing the right one can influence how your product is used, perceived and remembered.

Some woods are prized for their precision and durability. Others offer more emotional appeal with rich hues and evolving patinas.

Here are four of the most trusted and versatile woods used in premium cutting board collections, each with its own strengths and ready to shape your next launch.

Maple

Maple is a classic choice for chopping boards and for good reason. Its fine, uniform grain provides a smooth, hygienic surface, and its natural hardness ensures it performs well even with daily use.

However, what truly makes maple valuable for kitchenware brands is its professional appearance. Pale in tone and easy to finish, it offers a clean, understated look that fits seamlessly into both modern and traditional kitchens.

For product lines that prioritise performance and visual clarity, maple sets a high standard:

High durability with minimal wear;
A blade-friendly surface that resists deep cuts;
Its light, neutral tone is ideal for versatile branding;
It is sourced from North America and FSC® certified options are available.

Walnut

It is often chosen by brands looking to stand out. With its deep chocolate-brown tones and striking grain patterns, it instantly adds sophistication to any kitchenware collection.

Designers love walnut for its ability to carry detail, whether that's a fine edge, a logo engraving or a custom shape. Customers value it for the warmth it brings to their space and the way it gracefully ages over time.

Ideal for premium or gift-focused collections, walnut delivers:

A rich, distinctive visual identity;
It provides a smooth cutting feel with just enough give;
A premium look that improves with use;
It also has natural compatibility with minimalist or rustic styles.

Cherry

Cherry wood adds a softer, more emotional touch to cutting board design. Its warm, reddish tones create an immediate sense of comfort and familiarity, making it perfect for brands that want to evoke authenticity, heritage or a handcrafted spirit.

What makes cherry special is the way it evolves over time. Over time, the wood deepens in colour, developing a rich patina that tells a story with every use. It is ideal for gift collections, slow living collections and elevated home essentials collections.

For kitchenware brands, cherry offers:

A warm, natural tone that complements rustic and modern styles;
A softer surface that is ideal for delicate knives and light preparation work;
A unique ageing process that adds emotional value over time;
High workability for shaping, detailing and engraving.

Teak

Teak is the wood of choice when it comes to combining durability with design. Thanks to its high oil content and natural resistance to moisture, bacteria and warping, it is particularly well-suited to cutting boards intended for heavy use or humid environments, whether indoors or outdoors.

Teak is also low-maintenance, appealing to consumers and designers alike who are looking for a lasting impact with minimal effort.

For functional elegance, teak offers:

Outstanding resistance to water and wear;
Naturally antimicrobial properties;
Rich, warm tones with a smooth finish;
It performs ideally in versatile or outdoor applications.

How to choose the right wood for your brand?

There is no single “best” wood for chopping boards, only the best choice for your brand, audience and design goals.

Each species has its own unique characteristics.

When selecting your material, ask yourself:

What emotions should the board evoke?
What kind of user experience are you designing for? Daily prep? Gourmet plating? Gifting?
Does your brand prioritise sustainability, minimalism, rustic charm or high-gloss luxury?
Which finish, weight and tactile feel would best suit your collection?

If you’re not sure where to begin, or if you want to develop an idea into a finished, market-ready product, Minelli Group can help.

We work closely with brands to develop kitchen accessories that combine aesthetics, functionality and storytelling. Whether you're designing cutting boards, serving trays or an entire private label collection, we will guide you through choosing the right wood, defining the shape and perfecting every detail.

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