Why Marri wood not suitable for cooking utensils

Marri wood, also known as Redgum, is one of the Western Australia's most striking native of timbers. With its beauty and dramatic grain patterns, and rich red streaks of gum, Marri is a popular choice for furniture makers, and timber flooring industry. However, while it' is undeniably beautiful, Marri wood is not suitable for making cooking utensils- and at 3Wood Crafts, we believe it's important to explain why.

The red gum that gives Marri its distinctive appearance is actually a type of kino-a natural resin that the tree produces it naturally. While this gum adds character to furniture pieces, it presents several issues when used in items that come in contact with food. Firstly, the gum can leach out, especially when exposed to heat, which may alter the colour and even the taste of your food. More importantly, the chemical composition of the gum is not fully understood and could potentially be harmful when ingested over time.

Additionally, Marri timber is considered relatively soft compared to other hardwoods. These qualities make it more prone to absorbing moisture, harboring bacteria, and wearing down with frequent use- none of which are ideal for items like spoons, or salad servers.

At 3Wood Crafts, we are committed to both beauty and safety in every handmade product. That's why we reserve, Marri for stunning furniture, centerpieces, sculptures, jewelry boxes, where its unique features can be admired without risk. For cooking utensils, we use more stable, food safe Western Australian hardwoods like Jarrah, She-oak, Blackbutt, Tuart, and Jam wood- all harvested sustainably from fallen trees after storms.

When you choose 3Wood Crafts, you're not just getting a handcrafted product- you're getting one made with intention, love, integrity, and respect for both the wood and your well- being.