The mood of the family members depends largely on the flavours oozing out of the kitchen. Such an important part of the house needs to be maintained properly. At Ellementry, we believe that what smells good tastes better but what looks good tastes best and for great tastes to come naturally to your food, we offer you great options for your kitchenware. A chopping board is a very essential part of an organized kitchen. Like every other utensil in the kitchen, a chopping board also requires proper maintenance especially a wooden chopping board that is vulnerable to weather changes and moisture. This article will provide a complete chopping guide for beginners.

How to use a wooden chopping board?

Seasoning: The wooden chopping board should be seasoned from time to time to prevent cracks in the wood which is very unhygienic. It is best to use mineral oil to season your wooden chopping board. Before applying the mineral oil, the chopping board should be cleaned properly. The mineral oil should be applied using a paper towel. A thin layer of oil should be applied to the wooden chopping board. Then the chopping board should be left undisturbed for a fortnight to let the oil soak in. Remove the excess oil the next day and your chopping board is ready to use again.

Correct usage of the wooden chopping board: You should clean your chopping board immediately after chopping is complete. This prevents dirt and germs from collecting on the chopping board. You should use a damp cloth and a mild detergent to clean your wooden chopping board. You can also use salt and lemon to clean it to prevent damage to the wood from harmful chemical detergents. Do not forget to re-season your chopping board from time to time. Do not let the water dry on its own as the wood can rot with extended exposure to water.

Protection of the wooden chopping board: Wood is sensitive to water and as a result, a wooden chopping board is also highly sensitive to any kind of water accumulation. As a preventive measure, you should never wash your wooden chopping board in a dishwasher. They should be hand washed. You should be extra cautious while chopping meal on a wooden chopping board as meat can easily soak in causing bacteria formation. You should also wash it properly before cutting vegetables or other food items on it. Do not put the wooden chopping board in the sink as it can rot or bend. Lastly, throw away a wooden chopping board if it splits as it is highly unhygienic. 

Tips for using a wooden chopping board:

1. The size of the wooden chopping board is very important. The size of the chopping board depends on the size of your kitchen counter. Wooden chopping boards are comparatively more expensive.
2. Before using a wooden chopping board for the first time, season it properly with natural food-grade oil
3. It is advisable to have two different chopping boards-one for raw meats, poultry and fish and the other for everything else. This prevents contamination and bacteria formation.
4. You can use vinegar to sanitize your wooden chopping board.
5. Always place a damp towel under your wooden chopping board to prevent it from slipping while chopping.
6. Larger chopping boards are more convenient to use.
7. Mineral oil is best for seasoning wooden chopping boards because they are inexpensive and are not prone to rancidity.
8. Lay your chopping board on a flat, stable surface before using it.
9. Use a sharp knife and chop the food using abbreviated motions to avoid damage to the wooden chopping board.
10. You can also use coconut oil for seasoning your wooden chopping board because it prevents bacteria formation, unlike olive or canola oil.

Whichever material you use for your chopping board, plastic or wood, proper maintenance and hygiene are of utmost importance.

Chopping techniques on a wooden chopping board:

1. Fine dice- Also known as Brunoise, this technique allows you to dice the vegetables. The food is cross-cut and then sliced to create fine cubes.
2. Shredding-Also known as Chiffonade, this technique is used to chop leafy vegetables and herbs. The food is cut into long strips on the wooden chopping board, giving them the desired thickness.
3. Match-stick cuts - Also known as Julienne, this technique is used to cut the food into long, thin matchstick like pieces.
4. Large dice - Also known as Macedoine, this technique is useful in cutting fruits and vegetables into large dice. Melons and other large fruits are cut using this technique.
5. Slicing - Slicing is a technique used to cut fruits and vegetables into thin slices.
6. Mincing- This technique is especially used to mincemeat on a chopping board. Here the knife is held in one hand while the other hand is used to keep the blade's tip-in touch with the chopping board.
7. Roll-cutting- This technique is especially used to chop long fruits and vegetables like zucchini and carrots.
8. Parallel cutting- This technique is used to cut broad, thin slices of vegetables and meat.
9. The crushing-this method is used to crush foods like ginger and garlic. This is done best on a wooden chopping board. A large blade is used to create pressure on the food and crush it.

At Ellementry, we provide the best quality wooden chopping boards that cater to your needs while maintaining safety standards and beauty of the kitchen.