Being Chicken obsessed as we are, I am always on the lookout for new products that can be brought to my fellow Chicken lover audiences.

The latest trend seems to be wood products for the kitchen, being that they are made from natural and sustainable sources and can add charm and functionality, such as Wooden Cooking Spoons or Spatulas, Plates or Cutting Boards.

I offer quite a few Wooden products myself in my shop, such as Wooden Cooking Spoons with Hen or Rooster Motive, Rooster or Hen Spatulas, or Cutting Boards with Rooster cutout. But while most shops bring in the cheaper wares from China, or even if they hand make items themselves, they may be unaware that they are buying their wood blanks from Chinese producers, we have opted to import our Wooden Cooking Utensils from Germany. They have very, very, strict regulations regarding Woods being used in the kitchen, and even stricter rules on what finishing oils and wax can be used. Every wax or oil must be consumable itself without being harmful to humans – or animals.

As for the Wood itself – did you know that some woods are harmful in cooking as they can release toxins? For example, exotic woods may look attractive but that’s just it – they are made for looking, not consumption products. To really be sure the wood you are using is harmless stick to what is obvious: Use woods that produce edible fruits, nuts, leaves or sap. Cherry wood, Hickory Wood, Maple, but stay away from Walnut which produces the poisonous jug-lone. Still pretty logical though, as you know busting open those green shells around the walnut with bare hands can be unhealthy.

Another thing to consider is the hardness and porosity of the Wood. Pine, anyone? While there is nothing wrong with Pinewood itself for use as a Cutting Board or even a Cooking Spoon – and by the way, Pine is what you will find most often used for the cheaper, smaller spoons and cutting boards offered – Pine is a soft wood with large pores. So if it is not properly sealed or in case of cutting boards properly resealed constantly, it is easily damaged and scratched or cut, making it easy for bacteria to creep in and breed. Other open grain woods such as Ash wood also absorb moisture like a sponge and can turn into bacteria or mold breeding grounds, as well as warp or stain easily.

That is why we choose to import our Wooden Products from the Black Forest in Germany, where there are still many artisan shops using traditional methods to make products, as well as woods that they have known and used for centuries to craft kitchen utensils and products that are safe for your family. As a matter of fact, most of the shops have a sawmill in the backyard, using the trees grown in the surrounding forests and orchards, such as Red Oak, Birch, Pear and Cherry. Even the traditional toys they make are only finished with non-toxic, often even food safe paints and sealers. And many of our products are still less expensive than others.

So if you are looking at that Cooking Spoon or Cutting Board with a cute Chicken pattern on it – check a little closer and make sure it is safe to use for actual kitchen use. Or opt to just use it for decorating.