When decorating the perfect table, it can be challenging to get the right balance of functionality and aesthetics. To simplify the process, a good place to start is choosing materials that complement your style. The choice of materials can upgrade a table setting from amateur to professional, giving the space a personality of its own, something to be enjoyed by all the senses.
If you are wondering where to start, here’s why we think cork might be the ideal solution for serveware:
1. Cork is naturally resistant to liquids
Cork has a natural wax-like substance called suberin that protects cork tableware from liquids.
2. It’s eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing
With its beautiful natural texture, cork will be the life of any dinner party setting. And the best part is, at the end of its life, it can return to the earth to nourish the soil.
3. Its thermal insulating properties make it heat and cold resistant
Air makes up for 50 per cent of the weight of cork and insulates cork from heat ensuring easy handling of dishes at your table.
4. Cork is lightweight yet sturdy
The honeycomb molecular structure with large air spaces makes cork highly abrasion-resistant, lightweight and able to take a lot of weight.
5. Cork is naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic
Cork is naturally equipped to repel insects, microbes and even dust, making it ideal to hold food items. Don’t be surprised by the improved air quality in your homes with the addition of more and more cork pieces.
6. It is non-slip providing multiple benefits to your serving experience
The natural texture of cork is soft to touch while also providing extra grip to prevent the accidental slips and spills.
7. Its high impact resistance ensures that it won’t break upon falling
Thanks to its honeycomb molecular structure, the air trapped between the cells makes cork flexible and can absorb the shocks due to impact and falls ensuring your cork pieces won’t break.
8. It will last you forever
Cork's resistance to moisture and rot enables it to age without deteriorating. With only light sanding, cork tableware can look as good as new.
We also did a fun comparative study of other common materials found in Serveware that can complement cork:
WOOD
With a variety of options from color to grain size, wood has to be the most popular natural and sustainable materials with good impact and water-resistance as well as durability. Wood is a go-to option for those fuss-free and genuine bonding sessions.
GLASS
Glass is a sustainable but fragile and expensive choice valued for its beauty and transparency. Nothing beats glass when it comes to formal black tie events. Although thick glassware does not perform well with high temperatures, it is practically water-proof. While it has really low impact resistance (we've all broken a glass product at some point of our lives), even the smallest of pieces can be recycled.
BRASS
Brass tableware offers a unique perception of luxury as well as rustic. It is highly durable, impact-resistant, moisture resistant and recyclable, but fails when it comes to heat resistance. Hence, brass bowls are often used for serving cold snacks or for decoration.
COPPER
Copper is almost similar properties as brass but is unique for its distinctive red color and is completely recyclable. Using copper tableware can add clever focus to your table setting.
CANE
Cane is a more sustainable option than wood but is prone to cracking and splintering. Cane tableware is light, durable and resistant to shocks and heat but fails in humid environments. Bread baskets made of cane take us back to fundamentals.
CERAMIC
Ceramic tablewares are among the most understated expression of luxury dinnerware. In use since forever, ceramic is a healthy and sustainable serveware option that boasts of benefits such as heat resistance and durability. It also has low impact resistance like glass and is prone to chipping but when it comes to surface experimentation, it's one of the most versatile.
MARBLE
Despite needing a lot of care in handling and use, marble is among the most coveted materials. The beautifully patterned marble serveware are statement pieces and work wonderfully to resist heat when used as platters and coasters. However, they are considered to be unsustainable materials as they are non-renewable resource and have very energy intensive manufacturing processes.
You can shop our cork tableware collection here.