If you’re like most homeowners, and I think you are, you probably have a cutting board in your kitchen. Undoubtedly, cutting boards are one of those kitchen tools that we all take for granted. But did you know that cutting boards have been used for thousands of years? In fact, people originally designed pull-out cutting boards for breadmaking.

Cutting boards are a necessity in any kitchen. They are a clean and stable place to chop, slice, and dice ingredients. While the original intention for using pull-out cutting boards was not for general food prep, it was for breadmaking. The baker would use a large pull-out cutting board to knead the dough and shape it into loaves. Once done kneading, he’d use the prep board as a surface to rise the raw bread on. Once all the raised loaves were ready, the baker would then prepare for the oven.

Now we use cutting boards for an array of uses that goes well beyond making bread. We all use them for preparing (cooking prep) meats, vegetables, and fruits. Cutting boards can be made with several materials: plastic, bamboo, and wood, just to name a few. With that said, wood cutting boards — particularly maple wood — are the best cutting board option. There are many reasons for this.

Maple is a hardwood, which is durable, resists cut marks from knives, and is resistant to bacteria proliferation. In addition to being a durable and strong wood, maple boards are easier to care for than plastic or bamboo boards. This is because the grooves and scratches they develop can hold bacteria.

Caring for your cutting board is important after each use. Cleaning it just uses some baking soda or kosher salt and lemon, which you can then scrub into the board. Rinse off the board using hot water, and dry it using a clean towel. We also recommend using food-grade cutting board oil to treat and prevent your board from drying out or cracking.

Cutting boards have evolving shapes; they have changed into many shapes and purposes. Whether you are an at home cook or a professional chef, cutting boards are a very useful tool in a kitchen and continue to be important in the kitchen. As long as you remember to maintain it and take care of it, a good quality cutting board will last you for years. For always providing a fresh and safe surface area for food preparation.

If you are interested in home baking, consider baking bread at home. With people venturing into home baking and the pandemic, home baking has presented a unique opportunity. People have found joy in baking bread at home. There are numerous recipes and tutorials available online, including YouTube channel Becca Beach.

Becca Beach is a passionate home cook and baker. Becca shares with her followers her recipes and cooking tips. In her video Homemade Bread – SUPER Easy and Delicious!, Becca shows us how simple it is to bake a loaf at home.

Baking bread yourself can be fun and rewarding process. I’ve done that many many times, and I loved every bit of the experience. Not going to lie, the results were amazing. Well, the bread was delicious and my whole family loved it. Breadmaking is healthier than store-bought bread, and can also be more economical! When you bake your own bread, you’re in control of what goes in it. This is very different from store-bought bread because store-bought bread has preservatives and other stuff to last longer!

While cutting boards have translated from originally being a tool for breadmaking, the idea of a cutting board as the kitchen staple — with the variety of materials and uses we have now — has come a long way. If you want to ensure that a cutting board lasts for years and is safe for food preparation, clean it properly and maintain it. If you are interested in adding a new activity to the home cooking experience, why not try baking bread at home? With numerous online tutorials available, and a sustainable maple wood cutting board, we know you will be able to hone your breadmaking skills.