“Berard”, a French company, has brought olive woods natural beauty back to ‘life’ with their excellent craftsmanship. Settled in the mountains of Royans, France, “Berard” artisans use their knowledge and skill required to produce outstanding olive wood kitchen products.
Respecting the balance of nature, “Berard” has strong moral principles of where they source the olive wood for their handcraft using traditional methods. No two olive wood items are the same because of the natural uniqueness (one of a kind) of the wood. Glues have not been used as each product has been handcrafted from one piece of wood.
In a photo you can capture the beauty of an object but what is missing is its essence. I wanted to touch and feel “Berard’s” olive wood creations, so I had asked “Berard” to send me a few to review.
My wait was very worthwhile as when I unwrapped what “Berard” had sent me, I was overwhelmed. The beauty and warmth emanating (coming from) each piece is just amazing.
The quality of the cooks’ spoon, cutting board, salt keeper and ladle are superb. Each one was smoothed to perfection.
If you love stirring (food and soup of course) then the cooks’ spoon is the right length and size. Small is the cutting board but dimensions given depict that; a great little cutting board to cut cheese or herbs on.
The ladles’ scoop will give you a generous serving and the wonderful salt keepers’ lid swivels 360 degrees either way; so whether you are left handed or right handed there are no issues. The lid ‘locks’ into place via magnets.
Wood is one of nature’s resources and is much more hygienic and healthier than plastic. So bring the outdoors indoors with one or more of “Berard’s Olive Wood Handcrafts”.
Berard Olive Wood Kitchen Products are available on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and eBay.com
How to Care for Olive Wood Kitchen Products
- Never soak in water
- Hand wash with eco friendly mild detergent
- Rinse well, wipe with lint free cloth and air dry
- Do not put in dishwasher
History of Olive Trees
Olive trees are 5000 years ancient. They are native to the Mediterranean, Asia and Africa. Still in existence today, the olive trees on Mount of Olives (also known at Mount Olivet) in Jerusalem are more than 2000 years old. Many countries all over the globe now grow olive trees but the main producers of olives are Greece, Italy, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey. As ‘Evergreens’, the olive tree keeps its foliage (leaves) all year round. Of course as the namesake, the leaves on the tree do not change colour. Very resistant to disease, drought and fire the olive tree can live for many life times. Remarkably, its strong root system enables it to regenerate itself even when all is lost above ground.
Renowned for its fruit and the oil produced from it, olive trees are also well known for the superiority (top quality) of its wood. This long lasting dense (thick) hard wood is sought after for carving. Not one olive tree has its life expectancy cut short. The wood comes from the older trees which no longer produce fruit and from the pruning (trimming) of the younger trees when needed. The magnificent textures produced by the fibers in the wood are like no other. The natural beauty of the grains in the wood becomes darker in color as it ages.
Did you know?
The story of Noah in the Bible has it that a dove (also noted as a sign of peace) brought back to the Ark a sprig (twig) of leaves from an Olive Tree as a sign that there was dry land.
Read about the History of Salt & Pepper Shakers on Erin’s Eco List.