FAQs / Edge Grain, Live Edge, or End Grain?
We divide wooden cutting boards into three distinct categories – serving/charcuterie boards, edge grain and end grain (butcher block).
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End Grain
Our end grain (butcher block) boards are assembled from many pieces of wood. In these boards the wood grain is oriented vertically. These boards are generally more resistant to repeated cutting and chopping and, since one's cooking knives are not slicing through the wood fibers, they are more likely to hold their edge longer. While we wouldn't go so far declare end grain boards as "self-healing", many chefs prefer these boards.
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We offer several styles of end grain boards and many people use them for presenting hors d'oeuvres that might require some slicing (meats, hard cheeses, etc.). All of our cutting boards are finished with a natural oil which both dries inside the wood (unlike mineral and vegetable oil finishes) and seals the surface from moisture and contaminants. Click here to see our End Grain boards.
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Edge Grain
Our edge grain boards are generally created from several strips of wood which are glued together. The wood grain is oriented horizontally. La Collina's edge grain cutting boards are available in three sizes in Maple, Black Walnut and Black Birch. The largest easily accommodates your large holiday roast with room for fixings! These boards are both practical in your kitchen and handsome enough to bring to the dinner table. They feature non-skid feet, and finger grooves to make them easier to carry to the table. Our Medium and Large sizes have a juice groove to keep things neat; the smallest size makes a beautiful palette for your hors d'oeuvres. Click here to see our Edge Grain boards.
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Live Edge
Our serving/charcuterie/live edge boards are made from one piece of wood. They are, technically, edge grain boards since the wood grain runs horizontally. Where they differ is that live edge boards generally feature the natural profile of the tree. We select them for their fluid form and striking grain pattern and color. While they may be used as cutting boards, we recommend that they be used primarily as serving platters. We apply six coats of our custom finish to these boards and allow thirty days of curing between each coat (yes, that's six months!) to create a durable, food safe finish which both accentuates and protects the natural beauty of these exceptional pieces of wood. Most of our customers slice their meats and cheeses on a butcher block or end grain board and then stage their appetizers on one of our live edge boards. Click here to see our Live Edge/Charcuterie boards.