Our olive wood products are made from the wood of olive trees that are up to 1000 years old, or sometimes even over 1000 years old, which no longer bear fruit and are therefore no longer needed for olive production. The olive tree is a typical representative of the Mediterranean flora and an important cultivated and useful plant in the Mediterranean region. Olive wood products are particularly popular because of their pleasant honey-yellow color and their striking and very individual grain.

The wood has to dry for a number of years before processing and is then processed, usually with great effort, by hand into the sought-after products for the table and kitchen. Since the processing by hand has to be very closely aligned with the natural wood, this often results in individual shapes which, together with the different grain, result in visually very appealing individual pieces (unique items). This is especially true for rustic designs such as bowls and large cutting boards, which can often differ considerably from one piece to the next.

Our olive wood products are usually not varnished, but rare exceptions are possible due to circumstances. The exceptions are noted in our item description. For Allen other items, the natural oil content protects the wood from drying out and bacterial attack. Occasional light oiling (depending on use) with a cloth and cooking oil (e.g. olive oil) maintains and renews this protection and highlights the typical pleasant honey-colored shine together with the beautiful grain.

Olive wood is also characterized by its high degree of hardness, which is approx. 60% (wood hardness according to Brinell) above the hardness of European oak. It is therefore also ideal for heavily used parts such as cutting boards.

All these advantages make it ideal for everyday and decorative objects, e.g. in the kitchen and as a table accessory, and it is a very durable natural product that is popular with connoisseurs.

Small cracks and growths in olive wood, e.g. in the area of ​​branches, can certainly occur and are typical phenomena of the natural material. If it makes sense, these are filled with some wood paste.

Here are a few care instructions:

- Clean olive wood products with a soft sponge, warm water and a little washing-up liquid (never leave in hot water), then wipe dry with a kitchen towel.

- It is best to rub the wood with olive oil immediately after purchase and then every now and then after cleaning so that the wood does not dry out and retains its beautiful grain. Exception: a few painted items.

- Please never wash olive wood in the dishwasher, leave it in dishwater or expose it to long-term heat or cold.