Best wood types for chopping boards in Mumbai and where to buy them

Mumbai, the city that never sleeps. When you look at the culture of Mumbai and the lifestyle, it varies from the ultra-rich to poor. Everyone lives harmoniously in Mumbai. And when it comes to their needs, almost always, Mumbai provides. When it comes to chopping boards and kitchen accessories, you will find a wide range which will vary from a few hundred rupees to a couple of thousands. Chopping boards too come in a wide range of price.

Not just price, wooden chopping boards in Mumbai come in various types too. From exquisite Teak to imported Walnut to local Mango wood and Acacia, you find them all in Mumbai if you know where to look for it. But which wood is perfect for your kitchen? Let’s explore.

Mumbai is humid and hot. The shoreline creates more humidity and makes you sweat. High humidity means more time for things to dry and more time it takes for anything to dry, the chances of mold and fungus increase. When it comes to chopping boards, this is not a good sign. The more time the wooden chopping board takes to dry, the more chances it becomes mouldy.

Choosing the right wooden chopping board is the difference between happy cooking and frustration at home.

The best wooden chopping boards suitable for climatic conditions in Mumbai

For a humid climate, you should be looking at a wood that is high in oil content, preferably hardwood and water resistant. Teak and Acacia are the two good woods perfect for humid climates.

Teak wood chopping boards: High in natural oil content, teak wood is water repellent and moisture resistant. They can handle moisture well due to the tight grain structure which does not allow water to penetrate through them. With a decent thickness of 2 cm or more, they will not warp or crack easily. For humid climatic conditions like Mumbai, teak wood chopping boards are the best choice.

But teak wood chopping boards may be a bit expensive, especially depending on where they are sourced from and the type of construction. End grain chopping boards could cost anywhere from 3000–6000 Rs while an edge grain single block chopping board medium size could be between 2500–4000 Rs.

The cheaper alternative is to get a joined board in teak of the same price at 60% lesser. Teak wood chopping boards which are joined wood with the same quality of wood will cost anywhere from 1000–2000 Rs. These are equally good and will last 5–6 years, and with good care may last a decade or more.

Acacia wood boards: Acacia is high in oil content, with 3–4% oil content in the wood. They are good for humid climates but compared to teak, they are not as water resistant. Acacia is a dark wood and definitely adds to the aesthetics of your home. They are not as expensive as teak but could be nearly 1500–2500 Rs for a single block wooden board. Joint block boards should cost you below 1000 Rs in most cases while end grain Acacia chopping boards may cost you 2500–3000 Rs.

Tamarind wood, the cheaper alternative: Tamarind wood is good, but not used widely in Mumbai. It compares to Maple in terms of look with some grains and shades of gray or black. They have a tight grain structure and are very durable. Tamarind wood does get mouldy if you do not take good care of them and leave them carelessly. Remember to oil your board. Mould can be easily removed with a lemon salt scrub and a single block Tamarind wood board will last you a decade.

Wood not to use for chopping board in Mumbai

While the list of woods you can use are small, the list of woods you shouldn’t use is huge when it comes to humid conditions. Some of the most common woods you should avoid for chopping boards in Mumbai are:

1. Mango wood: Light wood, poor oil content, water and moisture absorbing, more prone to mould and fungal attacks, Mango wood is one of the worst woods to use in Mumbai. Be sure to see mould in a few weeks if not days. The board tends to go slimy if not washed properly or if they do not dry in a few hours. A wet board usually results in a thin layer of mold in 24 hours in most cases. This is often frustrating, unhygienic and will result in poor life for the board overall.
2. Bamboo cutting boards: Bamboo cutting boards usually last 5 years max. They are durable material but the problem is the mould and humidity. Bamboo boards are also made by joining multiple pieces of bamboo together. With constant exposure to water, the boards often split over time.

Other material that are good and not so good in Mumbai weather

If you are using a plastic board, you can definitely throw them into a dishwasher and clean it up. If it comes out dry, it’s good. But if you hand wash a plastic board and if it does not dry in a few hours, there is a high possibility that they become a breeding ground for bacteria. The safest option apart from wood is stone, glass or steel cutting boards. These are surely inconvenient options but safe, hygienic and cost-effective.

Where to buy Wooden chopping boards in Mumbai

If you are looking for good products, at a good rate, you should check out the large kitchenware markets in Masjid Bunder, Malad and Vikhroli. You will find Teak wood, Mango, Bamboo and mixed hardwood chopping boards. Price range for most mixed wood boards start from 120 Rs while Teak wood chopping boards are available in joints at up to 1250 Rs. You will find a wide variety at an affordable price. If you are looking for premium quality wooden chopping boards, we suggest you purchase a single block wooden chopping board by Amra Farms. There are a range of other vendors who may be of your interest including Thopia and Oldtrunk.

What to look for when purchasing teak wood chopping board

Teak wood is not all the same. For instance, Malabari teak is high in oil content, is durable and more moisture resistant. Teak wood from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh like the Valsadi teak have lesser oil content and are not as water resistant. Also, the weight of a Malabari teak is often 10–25% higher than that of Valsadi teak. Understand where the wood is sourced from and decide on your requirements. Amra Farms teak wood chopping boards are made from Malabar teak and so is Old Trunk and Thoppia. They are excellent brands to purchase from and the boards come in a wide range of designs and styles.