This is one item I've been needing for quite some time. So, when I was given the opportunity to test and review it, I jumped on it! When I ordered it I saw the dimensions, but I guess I didn't pay much attention to them, because when it came I couldn't believe how big it really is! This thing is huge....big enough to put my 17" laptop on if I wanted to, as it's 18" wide!
It has a flat side and the other side has a nice deep groove in it for liquid to have a place to go other than your counter or whatever surface you are using it on. That's quite helpful, as I've been using a glass top cutting board for awhile. My thinking with glass was that it was more sanitary than wood, and would last longer. However, I can't stand the way my knife sounds against the glass, it has no drip tray, and it dulls my knives.
Besides the fact that this bamboo cutting board from Pratico is huge, has a deep juice groove, it also is toxin free! That is a nice added plus, because a lot of cutting boards have stains or varnishes on them that are not voc free, are full of toxins that not only smell, but also can leach into any food that is placed on it. No worries with that here. It also has natural anti-bacterial properties as well, which makes me feel a lot safer about using a wooden item in my kitchen.
This board is made from moso bamboo, and I have other products made from moso, and they are beautiful, and are great quality. So, I am sure this board will last many years. Speaking of that, Pratico Kitchen has a "no hassle lifetime warranty". So should anything ever go wrong with this board, or I am not satisfied, I don't have to worry about it.
Some may not realize this, but bamboo is actually not wood, but a wood-like product. It is from the grass family, but has properties of wood. However, the sustainability of bamboo is an enormous benefit. There are over 1500 types of bamboo, but Moso is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. It grows almost 20 inches per day with an average final height of approximately 60-70 feet. Because each pole has several shoots that grow from it, it self-propogates, creating new poles every year. There is no deforestation, as when they harvest annually, they typically keep 20-25% of the bamboo to continue to grow. It reaches it's full maturity around 4-5 years of age.....meaning that is how long it takes for the pole to reach the hardness density of hardwood. Oak takes at least 50+ years to mature which is why it's so costly. Bamboo products help our environment, and create much stronger products for us to use in our homes. Whenever I am able, and have the opportunity to purchase a bamboo product, I do. If you are in the market for a new cutting board, or possibly a gift for someone, take a look at this one.
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