Why Tamarind Wood Cutting Boards For Meat is Preferred Compared to Teak Chopping Boards

Teak is a tough wood and it is beautiful too. Then why is tamarind wood chopping boards preferred choice in commercial butcher shops compared to teak? Ever wondered why teak is not used for cutting meat in a commercial butcher shop? There are multiple reasons why butchers prefer tamarind wood and not teak, even though teak is antibacterial, highly durable and long-lasting.

To begin with, it’s important to understand wood in general. Teak wood is great. Actually, it’s wonderful. It is beautiful, it is aesthetically pleasing, teak wood is dense and has high oil content making it perfect for cutting meat. The bacteria, when in touch with teak wood, usually die in a few hours. Tamarind on the other hand is not as rich in oil content as teak. They don’t look beautiful. As a matter of fact, tamarind wood is light-colored, easy to stain and requires regular oiling and cleaning. Then why do butchers use tamarind wood still? Let me explain.

1. Hardness and Grain Structure

Would you believe if I told you that tamarind is tougher than teak? Yes. The Janka rate of tamarind wood is much higher than that of teak wood. While the Janka rate of teak wood ranges from 1000–1155 lbf, tamarind has a significantly higher Janka rate of 2690 lbf. The Janka rate determines the hardness of the wood and is the measurement unit. With almost 3 times higher Janka rate, tamarind wood is the most suitable wood for chopping meat, especially when it involves cutting through bones and heavy-duty chopping. Teak is durable and you may think that the 1000 lbf Janka rate is enough to cut meat. It definitely is in a home setup. But if you were to cut meat which is heavy and involves chopping through bones, teak wood will usually break, split and splinter. Tamarind on the other hand is very hard. The grain structure of the tamarind wood is tight, making a very tight and dense wood. Chances are you will probably put a dent in the wood with a hard chop but it’s almost impossible to split the wood.

2. Affordability

Teak wood is expensive. It is considered a luxury wood or premium quality wood. The price of a single cubic foot could range anywhere between 4500 Rs to 7500 Rs. A chopping block could cost anywhere between 5000 Rs to 15000 Rs. And when you invest that huge an amount on a cutting board for your home, you look at various factors including durability, especially when cutting heavy food. Tamarind wood is considered an exotic wood in many parts of the world. The United States for instance uses tamarind wood for art projects and it is highly priced. On the contrary, in India, it’s one of the most affordable woods. Tamarind wood may cost anywhere between 500 Rs to 1500 Rs per cubic foot as opposed to 4–5 times the price in teak! The lower cost of tamarind wood is directly related to the availability of the wood. Also, tamarind is not considered easy to work with for furniture, making it a wood with lesser demand.

3. Aesthetics

Teak wood looks beautiful. But tamarind is still preferred by professional butchers. Butchers are not concerned about aesthetics. They are looking for something more functional. While teak wood does look good, tamarind wood is the perfect choice that gets the work done efficiently. For most homes though, teak wood is a better option. Teak is easier to maintain, has lesser chance of being stained and is tough enough for regular tasks. More importantly, it gives a beautiful look. The aesthetics of your board affect your kitchen and it’s usually preferred to portray luxury. Tamarind wood on the contrary is bland and has no prominent grains (until you look very close). Professionals, especially in the heavy cutting industry like butchering, prefer something which will last the test of time. Tamarind simply fits the bill.

4. Knife Marks and Hygiene

Teak wood is definitely richer in natural oil content, making it one of the most antibacterial woods. But tamarind is not far behind either. Tamarind wood is rich in natural phenolic compounds and phytochemicals including flavonoids and alkaloids which are known to inhibit bacterial growth. The plant as a whole is known to fight pathogens. The wood is known to have a wide range of compounds that are effective antibacterials which include tannins, saponins and terpenoids. While these compounds are antibacterial, they are harmless to humans and do not react with food. This makes tamarind wood just as suitable as teak wood for cutting meat as long as hygiene is concerned. When it comes to knife marks, teak and tamarind almost always show very close performance with both the products showing minimal knife marks. The tight grains in a tamarind wood board make it resistant to cuts and an end grain tamarind wood cutting board is far more resilient to knife marks and scratches.

5. Water Resistance and Stain Resistance

While teak wood resists water with its natural oil content, tamarind wood is water resistant due to its tight grain structure which prevents water from entering the wood. Both of the woods are effective when it comes to water resistance but teak is more superior due to its oil content. Tamarind wood does require care and should not be soaked in water for extended periods of time. Moisture will cause fungal growth and mold. This should be prevented by oiling the board regularly. They are also easy to stain as the wood is usually pale and light in color. To prevent stains, ensure you wet the board before use. A light sanding will usually remove all stains from the board.

6. Cost vs Value

For most homes, a teak wood chopping board provides more value. For a butcher, a tamarind wood block is more valuable than teak. Teak is relatively fragile in a commercial setup and tamarind wood outperforms teak. They are cost-effective, tough and perfectly meet the purpose of a commercial kitchen or a butcher shop. For homes, aesthetics is as important as performance and functionality, making teak wood the preferred choice. But if you are a wood enthusiast and want a tough board at home, tamarind is always an affordable option. Don’t be fooled by the looks of tamarind wood. They may be pale and white but they can be beautiful in its own way.

Tak wood and tamarind wood both have their own purpose. choosing the right Wooden chopping board ensures your chopping tasks are met and your kitchen aesthetics is elevated.