What’s the difference between flat-grain, vertical-grain and end-grain bamboo?

You may have noticed these terms being used across our website and wondered “what exactly is flat-grain, vertical-grain and end-grain, and what’s the difference between all of them?” We’ll answer all of your questions about these grain types so you can pick a cutting board that fits your needs best (and crush it the next time you play bamboo trivia).

How They’re Made

The terms vertical-grain, flat-grain and end-grain refer to the bamboo grain direction and construction of the cutting board. Vertical-grain or flat-grain bamboo cutting boards are created from thin strips (roughly 7mm thick by 20 mm wide) of bamboo that have been cut along the grain. Vertical-grain bamboo cutting boards have the thinnest side of the strip showing, while flat-grain boards have the thicker side showing. End-grain bamboo cutting boards are created from strips of bamboo that have been cut against the grain.  

Flat-grain

A flat-grain constriction, also called face or cross grain, really shows off the natural beauty of bamboo because both the grain and nodes of the bamboo are easy to see. Flat-grain bamboo cutting boards are the most popular because of their distinct bamboo appearance and utility as an everyday cutting and serving board.

A flat-grain bamboo cutting board is ideal for someone who wants to use it for anything and everything. Flat-grain boards are lightweight yet durable, making them a great choice for both serving and meal prep. These boards can do it all!

Features:

• Thin and Lightweight
• Durable
• Resists staining from foods
• Affordable

Ideal For:

• Everyday meal prep
• Slicing garnishes
• Serving charcuterie or appetizers

Our Most Popular Flat-Grain Bamboo Cutting Boards

3- Well Kitchen Prep Cutting Board with Juice Groove

Our 3-Well Kitchen Prep Cutting Board is ideal for daily meal prep. It features three deep wells for holding chopped ingredients and juice groove to channel away juices and keep countertops clean. At 17-1/2" x 13-1/2", there’s plenty of space on this board for both cutting and serving!

3-Piece Bamboo Cutting Board Set

Our 3-Piece Bamboo Cutting Board Set is sure to find a valuable place in any kitchen! These three boards cover a variety of food prep and serving needs. They’re all lightweight and durable too.

Vertical-grain

A vertical-grain construction, also called edge grain, features an even look with the bamboo grain and nodes not being as apparent. Vertical-grain bamboo cutting boards are usually thicker and heavier than flat-grain bards, thus making them more durable.

Vertical-grain cutting boards are ideal for people who are passionate about cooking. These cutting boards hold up well to carving meat, chopping vegetables and more. If you’re looking for a board that’s durable for use as a chopping block and remarkably beautiful for use as a serving board, then a vertical-grain board is the way to go.

 

Features: 

• More durable than flat-grain boards 
• Resists staining from foods 
• Affordable 

Ideal for: 

• Heavy duty meal prep 
• Everyday cutting and serving 
  
  

Our Most Popular Vertical-Grain Bamboo Cutting Boards

Malibu Groove Carving Board

Our Malibu Groove Carving Board is a wonderful addition to any kitchen. This extra-large 18" by 12" board can handle any kitchen prep need: carving and cutting meat, slicing large vegetables and fruits or even serving charcuterie. It features a deep juice groove to channel away excess juices, keeping countertops clean. Priced at $29.99, it’s an exceptional value for the quality!

Martinique Serving & Cutting Board

Our Martinique Serving & Cutting Board is beautifully crafted from vertical-grain bamboo and features an inlay of end-grain bamboo. Its gorgeous design makes it ideal for serving charcuterie or appetizers, and it’s sized for a variety of uses at 15” x 11”. From serving a crowd to prepping vegetables for dinner, this board is able to do it all in style.

End-grain

End-grain cutting boards are very gentle on knives. When cutting on an end-grain board, the knife blade slices between the bamboo fibers. The fibers then bounce back into place after the knife is lifted, resulting in fewer noticeable knife marks and cuts.

They’re great for people who do a lot of cooking, enjoy always having a sharp knife or want a board that is very durable. However, end-grain cutting boards are usually more expensive and require more maintenance than vertical-grain or flat-grain cutting boards. 

Features: 

• More durable than flat and vertical grain boards 
• Gentle on knives 
• Require application of mineral oil more frequently than flat and vertical grain boards 
• Usually more expensive than flat and vertical grain boards 

Ideal for: 

• Professional settings
• Heavy duty meal prep 
• People who cook frequently 
• Anyone who enjoys sharp knives 

Our Most Popular End-Grain Bamboo Cutting Board

Pro Board Bamboo Carving and Cutting Board

Our Pro Board Bamboo Carving and Cutting Board is a great choice for both professional chefs and passionate home cooks. This two-inch thick board features a deep juice groove, making it ideal for use as a chopping block. Not only is this board durable, but it’s also beautiful. The parquet end-grain bamboo surface gives this board a gorgeous appearance.

Now that you know about the differences between flat-grain, vertical-grain and end-grain bamboo cutting boards, you’ll be able to shop for a new cutting board with confidence. Whether you prefer the classic bamboo look of a flat-grain board, the durability of a vertical-grain board or the knife-friendliness of an end-grain board, there’s a Totally Bamboo cutting board for everyone.