Everything you always wanted to know about cork

Cork is a unique material, obtained from the bark of the cork oak tree, with multiple applications. Bottling wine is, of course, the first thing that comes to mind. It's hard to imagine wine without cork. But that's not its only use. Have you ever heard of cork rolls or cork flooring? Yes, it's a truly extraordinary material.

Where it all begins

The history of cork begins with the bark of the cork oak tree. Obtaining it yourself is not easy, as the entire process is strictly regulated. Of course, everyone dreams of a painting, or even a wall, made of cork. But it's not that simple. The cork oak is an evergreen tree that lives around 150 to 200 years. It grows best in the Mediterranean basin, which explains its immense abundance, especially in Portugal, where it covers 22% of the country's surface area. Impressive, isn't it?

The process of obtaining the bark

If you come across a cork oak, you can't just cut it down and strip its bark. In fact, this task can only be carried out by qualified and trained people, who can strip its bark only once every nine years, mainly during the growing season, when the cork oak regenerates rapidly. During this process, the tree must not be felled or damaged. A fragile ecosystem must not be destroyed for the sake of a beautiful cork sign.

Remove the bark

You may be wondering how to get bark without cutting down the tree. In fact, it's the only tree anyone has ever encountered whose bark doesn't need to be cut, as it grows in two layers. The inner, living layer forms the basis for the new outer layer, which protects the tree from temperature fluctuations. If the outer layer dies, it can be removed with a special axe that doesn't damage the tree itself.

Collected cork

Once the cork is removed, it is exposed to the open air to improve its quality and strength. This process lasts several weeks. The bark patches are then steamed to remove all traces of sap, insects, and other contaminants. The bark remains clean and ready to be transformed into a new wall, plank, or roll of cork.