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Many articles speak about the benefits of wooden utensils, especially spoons. The wooden fork is often the forgotten utensil whether in food preparation or eating. A well-made fork like those made by hand at JUstenbois can enhance your meal.
A fork made from hardwood like maple can last for a long time if properly maintained and will offer those same benefits as a spoon. In this article, we will discuss why you should consider using a wooden fork and the benefits it can bring to your experience. So, let’s start!
Hardwood, like Maple, is neutral when in contact with food. It won’t react when poking or eating acidic or spicy foods, allowing the food to taste as it should. Metal, particularly stainless steel, interacting with food can leave an unpleasant metallic taste.
A wooden fork is your best alternative if you want to preserve the taste of the food you are eating.
When a metal fork alters the taste of food, it also transforms the food’s nutrients. This same neutrality of maple will not alter the integrity of the food, allowing all the nutrients to be delivered and consumed while eating.
The porous nature of maple actually works to prevent bacteria from growing. The wood pores absorb and trap the bacteria. This prevents the bacteria from resurfacing and kills them naturally.
This phenomenon does not happen with forks made from other materials, such as plastic and stainless steel, as they do not have the same properties. A wooden fork is safe as a result.
A wooden fork will not conduct or absorb heat and change the temperature of the food. It is an insulator, so foods that may be sensitive to sudden temperature changes won’t be affected. While eating, using a wooden fork will keep warm foods warm for longer and cold foods cool for longer.
Trees are natural and renewable resources. Very few parts of it can be used to make forks. At JUstenbois, around 9,000 utensils are crafted from one maple tree. We also choose mature Maple trees which come from cultivation that follow sustainable management practices.
We only use mature trees; therefore, their removal allows younger trees to grow faster. This captures more carbon dioxide. Also, wood is 100% biodegradable which makes it an ideal alternative for families looking to reduce their personal carbon footprint.
The gentle nature of a wooden fork has an often-overlooked benefit while eating. There is no clatter of metal on the porcelain. There is only the soft sound of it. If you happen to have wooden dishes, the sound of wood clanging to itself is so quiet your conversation can be the only thing you hear during your meal.
Very few materials are as attractive as wood. Not only it is practical to use, but it can also add style to your dining table.
The strong, sturdy, lightweight, and smooth feel of wood is impossible to replicate. The more you use it, the better it feels in your hand. When eating, the smoothness and neutral temperature transform the feel in your mouth.
Cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy may notice a change in their sense of taste, often described as metallic taste. This is called dysgeusia.
Eating with metal utensils makes this phenomenon more intense and usually decreases the appetite or the enjoyment of eating. This is especially true with metal forks that pierce food with the fork’s tines and are then placed in the mouth.
As mentioned in the benefits of a wooden fork, it does not alter the taste of food. The poking followed by placing the fork in your mouth does not leave any metallic taste in your mouth.
With their wooden utensils, JUstenbois offers an interesting alternative to improve the appetite of those cancer patients suffering from the effects of dysgeusia, the amplification of this metallic taste by using stainless steel utensils. Improving the ability to eat during treatment will assist a cancer patient in achieving a faster recovery.
The quickest, simplest, and easiest way to ensure that food does not cake on your forks is to rinse them under warm water immediately after you use them. Do not soak them.
Wash your forks in warm water with mild dish soap by hand. Use a soft sponge or gentle dishcloth and scrub to remove all the leftover food particles. Do not soak in water for more than 15 minutes.
Thoroughly rinse all soap suds away with warm water. Dry immediately with a clean dishtowel. Allow them to air-dry before putting them away.
If you don’t let them air dry and put them away wet, the water droplets trapped in the wood will not dry completely and, over time, can cause the material to crack or warp.
Wooden forks are very safe. Their porous nature actually works to prevent bacteria from growing. The pores absorb and prevent the bacteria from resurfacing, making them naturally die, thus preventing spreading.
This occurrence is just like what a tree does to fight bacteria. Even though the material is no longer a living tree, its cells are still the same and don’t permit bacteria to grow. Wood is naturally more antibacterial than any man-made material.
Hardwoods, like Maple, have a fine grain and are not very porous, which reduces infiltration and further prevents bacteria growth. Another advantage of Maple is that it will not crack in water. It is the cracks that cause bacteria to form. So, if it does not crack, it will prevent bacteria from forming.
Not only does a wooden fork have these natural antibacterial properties it also is a neutral one that does not alter the integrity or the taste of food.
A great example of how it differs from stainless steel is to put a stainless-steel fork in your glass of wine and taste what it does. Do the same with a wooden fork and enjoy your wine. Therefore, maple spoons are the best choice for a healthy and safe dining experience.
One of the most asked questions about this topic is, “Are they dishwasher safe?” The simple answer is NO.
The ultra-hot water, strong detergent, and drying cycle will cause your wooden fork to warp, crack, split or even break. This might not happen the first time you put it in the dishwasher, but it will happen.
It would be best to throw away your wooden fork when it starts to crack, split, or break. These are all signs that it is no longer structurally sound, and bacteria can enter inside it and begin to grow.
Remember, a wooden fork is bio-degradable, so dispose of it with your compost.
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JUstenbois’ eco-friendly wooden utensils and dishes are part of the current cultural awakening for an environmentally friendly, healthier way to eat.
We have been developing our expert techniques since 2004.
