Portugal, a country with a rich history and extraordinary natural heritage, is famous for one of the world’s most unique natural products – cork. Growing cork oaks in this country is a practice rooted in centuries of tradition. Today, I would like to share with you the fascinating world of this industry and show you what efforts are being made in Portugal to ensure the sustainable production of this valuable raw material.
Long Road to Maturity
Planting cork oaks is the beginning of this fascinating process. In carefully selected areas of southern Portugal, these trees are carefully nurtured from their earliest years of life. During their first few decades of growth, the oaks are regularly pruned and overseen to maintain their health and shape.
About 25 years after planting, the first cork harvest occurs. The first cork harvested from the trees is usually too thin to be used for high-quality products, but over the years, as the trees mature, their bark becomes thicker and more suitable for production.
Sustainable Harvest Cycle
Every 9-12 years, mature cork oaks are harvested. It is worth noting that the trees are never completely stripped of their bark. An experienced harvester removes the cork layer by layer, leaving the inner layers of bark intact. This allows the tree to regenerate naturally, keeping the forest ecosystem healthy.
Portuguese Bottle Cork
Portugal is not only a world producer of cork, but also has a significant share of corked bottle stoppers. Interestingly, the wine industry consumes large quantities of cork every day. It is estimated that around 100,000 wine corks are produced per hour, which is an extremely important part of this tradition.
Heritage and Commitment
Cork oak farming in Portugal is not just an industry, it is a heritage passed down from generation to generation. Careful management, sustainable practices and care for these unique trees are crucial to the future of the industry. The cork industry in Portugal not only provides us with countless products, but also reminds us of the importance of taking care of our planet while deriving value from it.
At Miagaloo home, we process the cork production waste that is shipped to us from southern Portugal through a state-of-the-art recycling process. The right granulation of this second-rate, lightweight and forest-smelling raw material goes into our tables and countertops. The granules are spread on each tabletop by hand – that’s why each tabletop is different 🙂
Cork decor Portuguese nostalgia
Portugal, a country with a rich history and extraordinary natural heritage, is famous for one of the world’s most unique natural products – cork. Growing cork oaks in this country is a practice rooted in centuries of tradition. Today, I would like to share with you the fascinating world of this industry and show you what efforts are being made in Portugal to ensure the sustainable production of this valuable raw material.
Long Road to Maturity
Planting cork oaks is the beginning of this fascinating process. In carefully selected areas of southern Portugal, these trees are carefully nurtured from their earliest years of life. During their first few decades of growth, the oaks are regularly pruned and overseen to maintain their health and shape.
About 25 years after planting, the first cork harvest occurs. The first cork harvested from the trees is usually too thin to be used for high-quality products, but over the years, as the trees mature, their bark becomes thicker and more suitable for production.
Sustainable Harvest Cycle
Every 9-12 years, mature cork oaks are harvested. It is worth noting that the trees are never completely stripped of their bark. An experienced harvester removes the cork layer by layer, leaving the inner layers of bark intact. This allows the tree to regenerate naturally, keeping the forest ecosystem healthy.
Portuguese Bottle Cork
Portugal is not only a world producer of cork, but also has a significant share of corked bottle stoppers. Interestingly, the wine industry consumes large quantities of cork every day. It is estimated that around 100,000 wine corks are produced per hour, which is an extremely important part of this tradition.
Heritage and Commitment
Cork oak farming in Portugal is not just an industry, it is a heritage passed down from generation to generation. Careful management, sustainable practices and care for these unique trees are crucial to the future of the industry. The cork industry in Portugal not only provides us with countless products, but also reminds us of the importance of taking care of our planet while deriving value from it.
At Miagaloo home, we process the cork production waste that is shipped to us from southern Portugal through a state-of-the-art recycling process. The right granulation of this second-rate, lightweight and forest-smelling raw material goes into our tables and countertops. The granules are spread on each tabletop by hand – that’s why each tabletop is different 🙂