Cork is the bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber), a noble tree with very special characteristics. Growing in Mediterranean region, mainly in Portugal, where there are over 720 thousand hectares of cork forests (54% of world production). The cork forest is the dominant ecosystem that provides food and habitat for indigenous mammals and birds in risk of extinction such as the Iberian Lynx and the Imperial Eagle.

The bark of mature cork trees is harvested just once every nine years. Cork trees are not regarded as mature enough for bark harvesting until they are 25 years old. the quality of a harvest can depend on a number of variables such as weather or insects infestations. Example: To much rain or a severe drought.