“Acacia or teak cutting board?” Well, that’s one question lots of kitchen enthusiasts are asking. And your being here is a sign you could be in the same conundrum. But don’t worry! I’ll give you the lowdown of the two cutting boards to help you settle for the most appropriate option.
A nice cutting board makes your kitchen time more fun and less work. It also avoids cross-contamination while preparing different foods. It doesn’t end there yet, so you have to get the best.
Unfortunately, the latter is easier said than done, especially when you have two close contenders like acacia and teak. The good news – by the time you’re done reading this article, you should have a clear idea of which type best suits your needs.
- Both acacia and teak cutting boards are beautiful and will complement most kitchen decor.
- Acacia cutting board is more durable, sustainable, and affordable than teak.
- Teak cutting boards offer better resistance to elements than acacia counterparts and are easier to maintain.
JUMP TO: Table of Comparision | Acacia Cutting Board | Teak Cutting Board | Comparision Between Acacia and \teak Cutting Board |
Quick Overview – A Comparison Table
Parameter | Acacia wooden cutting board | Teak wooden cutting board |
Toxicity | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
Durability | Very durable | Very durable |
Porosity | Less porous material | Slightly larger pores |
Water Resistance | High | High |
Rot Resistance | Moderate | High |
Sun & Heat Resistance | Moderate | High |
Silica Content | Low | Above moderate |
Price | More affordable | Slightly costly |
Maintenance | Moderately low | Very low |
Is Acacia Good For Cutting Boards?
Yes, acacia wood is good for cutting boards. Acacia wood has numerous properties that make it a strong candidate for cutting boards. It’s durable, solid, dense, and even oily, making it difficult for liquids to permeate the wood and cause bacterial growth.
Whether you’re a professional woodworker, a weekend champion, or an occasional DIYer, you likely know that acacia wood is one of the best timbers for woodworking projects.
Be it a durable piece of outdoor furniture, an excellent bar cart, or even flooring – not many wood types come close to the usefulness of acacia.
And recently, acacia wood seemingly has a newfound role.
You likely got that right – cutting boards!
Source: F.N. Sharp
If you’re wondering if it makes a lovely chopping board, then yes, it does!
In fact, acacia is one of the best materials for cutting boards.
No wonder these wood-cutting boards are all the craze in the kitchen nowadays. After all, who doesn’t love a classy addition with a unique touch to their kitchen?
But then again, do acacia cutting boards live up to the hype?
Well, we’re here to find out.
Here are the pros and cons of acacia:
Pros
- Strong: The density of 690 to 880 kg/m3 means acacia has a solid structure to withstand heavy use in the kitchen.
- Durable: The Janka hardness scale rating of about 1750 lbf makes it more robust than most other timber types.
- Oily: The oil content in acacia prevents liquids from seeping into the wood and causing bacterial growth.
- Workable: Acacia boards are easy to shape, carve and make intricate designs with relative ease.
- Elegant: Obviously, the artistic appeal of acacia adds an element of style and sophistication to your kitchen.
- Easy Maintenance: Since they’re oily and naturally water-resistant, acacia boards are easy to wipe with a damp cloth or paper towel.
Cons
- Less Affordable: You need to pay more for it than for other options like bamboo.
- Sensitive to Heat: Hot pans, pots, and heavy knives can easily damage acacia.
Is Teak Wood Good For Cutting Boards?
Yes, teak is also an excellent material for cutting boards. Teak is durable and naturally oily, making it resistant to liquids and bacteria, which is why it’s one of the most popular choices for wood cutting boards.
Like acacia, teak is a favorite for woodworkers in many projects. Carving, furniture, exterior construction, and turnings are just some areas where it comes in handy.
And, of course, it also works well for cutting boards!
Source: Americas Test Kitchen
In fact, it’s one of the most popular options for this kitchen utensil.
Here are the pros and cons of teak;
Pros
- Aesthetically appealing: Teak has a tight, straight wood grain pattern, making some of the most eye-catching wood cutting boards.
- Durable: Teak is one of the hardwoods with a Janka rating of about 1155 lbf, slightly lower than an average acacia wood.
- Substance-resistant: Teak resists stains, rot, water, termites, and other elements better than most materials out there.
- Easy Maintenance: Teak cutting boards are also easy to maintain and clean, a great feature to look out for when buying a chopping board.
Related Read: Can You Stain Cutting Boards? [Methods+Stain Alternatives]
Cons
- Expensive: All good things come with a hefty price tag, and a teak cutting board is a case in point.
- Hard To Find: A Teak cutting board may require more effort since they’re less common than other materials.
- Silica Content: The teak contains up to 1.4% of silica, a hard mineral with pronounced blunting effects on knives.
As evident, both acacia and teak have their own set of pros and cons. That attracts the question – which of the two outweighs the other on the positive side?
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty to find out.
Is Teak Or Acacia Better For Cutting Boards? – Head To Head Comparison
To understand whether teak or acacia is better for cutting boards, we’ll compare both on several parameters;
Source: Tier 1 Furnishings
Appearance
Obviously, we want the best look for our kitchens. So, when assessing acacia and teak, go with what brings just that.
And well, the two wood types equally shine in this aspect!
As for acacia, the actual appearance is a matter of the species. From light to dark shades of brown, you can find an acacia cutting board in various colors, from golden yellow to reddish to almost black. It’s all about how well you match one with your kitchen’s overall look and feel.
As for teak, the shades aren’t as diverse.
But then again, the available color varieties are just enough to complement any kitchen style. But more often, it comes with a golden honey hue with darker streaks, making it the perfect material for someone looking to add some style quotient to their kitchen.
Verdict: On appearance, acacia and teak cutting boards are equally stunning if what you choose complements your kitchen. However, acacia offers more color varieties, so you’re likely to get something much close to what you are looking for in this material.
Interesting Read: Should Wall Color Match Kitchen Cabinets?
Durability
Beauty alone isn’t enough. The cutting board also needs to be durable.
And speaking of acacia and teak, they’re both highly durable woods.
But there’s still a slight difference in their durability.
Acacia, with its higher Janka rating of 1750 lbf, is more rigid and denser than teak, making it more resistant to dents and scratches.
On the other hand, teak comes in with a Janka rating of 1155 lbf, making it comparatively softer. This means teak is more prone to dents and scratches than acacia wood.
Verdict: On durability, acacia edges out slightly over teak as long as you maintain it properly.
Resistance To Elements
You can’t keep moisture, heat, and rot off your kitchen. So, as you examine the beauty and durability aspects, pay attention to the material’s ability to resist all these elements.
So, which of these two shines the most here?
Well, to find out, we’ll compare acacia wood and teak in terms of water resistance, rot resistance, and sun & heat resistance.
Water Resistance
Both acacia and teak have decent fluid protection properties. After all, they have natural oils that help with this job.
Even so, teak is the oilier of the two!
But that alone doesn’t make teak better than its counterpart! You see, acacia wood is denser than teak, making up for the difference in oiliness.
So, which is better in terms of water resistance?
Both acacia and teak are equal in this regard.
Rot Resistance
Like water resistance, acacia and teak are both excellent at resisting rot. But this time, it has to do with the presence of natural oils in their composition and nothing about the wood density.
And so, teak is the clear winner for rot resistance. In fact, teak has been considered the “gold standard” in terms of rot resistance. So, count on it for better food hygiene and food safety!
Sun & Heat Resistance
Kitchen heat is inevitable. So, also pay attention to the performance of the two materials in this aspect.
And yes, this is where acacia and teak performance shows a stark difference.
While harder and naturally more robust than teak, acacia cracks easily when exposed to intense heat or direct sun for extended periods.
Teak, on the other hand, has better heat and sun resistance. In fact, it’s because of its proficiency in this regard that it’s famous among boat builders and outdoor furniture. Hence, teak is the clear victor here on heat and sun resistance.
Verdict: On resistance to elements, teak is slightly above acacia. While they tie in water resistance, teak outperforms acacia in rot and heat resistance.
Sustainability
Perhaps you’re wondering what sustainability means in an article about wood-cutting boards.
Well, it’s pretty simple.
A wood species is sustainable if it isn’t at risk of extinction, even from deforestation.
And apparently, the vote here goes to acacia!
You see, acacia is available in over 1000 species. So, it’s very unlikely that it will become extinct soon.
As for teak, it’s the direct opposite – It’s available in a few countries and is at risk of becoming extinct if not harvested sustainably.
Verdict: Acacia is head and shoulder above teak on sustainability. The former is available in more countries than the latter.
Availability
Just in case you’re wondering, availability and sustainability are two different things.
Availability is how much wood is available in your local stores.
As for sustainability, it’s about meeting ongoing demand without the wild ever running short of wood.
And in this respect, acacia is once again the winner.
But there’s a but…
It depends on where you are!
Teak is far more available in countries like India, Thailand, and Indonesia than elsewhere. As for acacia, it’s available in almost every part of the world, with Australia and African countries leading the way.
But speaking from a global perception, acacia is easier to find.
Verdict: On availability, acacia is generally more accessible than teak, but teak can be a more readily available option in some parts of the world.
Cost
While it’s an essential part of your kitchen utensils, you don’t have to break the bank for a cutting board.
So, factor in the cost!
And in this regard, acacia stands out from teak.
And here, lower cost doesn’t mean lower quality. Instead, the price difference has more to do with availability and sustainability than anything else.
So, acacia carries the day if you’re going for a budget-friendly option.
Verdict: Acacia cutting board will cost you less than a teak cutting board since it’s more available and sustainable than its counterpart.
Maintenance
We all don’t want anything that will give us a headache regarding maintenance. So lastly, when shopping, go for something that doesn’t need a lot of maintenance.
More natural oils mean you won’t need to apply mineral oil as often. That’s to say, you won’t need to apply mineral oil to the teak as often as to the acacia cutting board.
Verdict: For less maintenance and care, teak wins this battle. It has more natural oil than acacia, giving it a headstart in maintenance and care.
Wrapping It Up
Whether you should go for acacia or teak cutting boards depends on your needs and preferences. If you are looking for something durable, sustainable, and budget-friendly, acacia is your best option.
But for superior maintenance and protection against elements, consider teak. Just ensure that you choose a color that will match your kitchen decor since these two kinds of wood come in various colors.