The kitchen is the heart of the home, and the chopping board is at the center of it. An end-grain board is the best kind you can use. With end grain, the knife slips into the wood fibers instead of cutting across them, which is better for both the blade and the board.

These boards take more time and materials to make, but the extra work shows in how they perform and how long they last. When looked after properly, an end-grain board can serve for generations. The fibers naturally tighten back up after shallow cuts, and the wood’s own properties help push out bacteria.