Chopping boards are the foundation of cooking – and a good, sturdy one will last you years. We picked the best non-plastic ones, including wood and synthetic rubber

• This versatile Japanese chef’s knife has lasted longer than some of my relationships

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A cutting board is literally the foundation of most things you cook: any recipe that needs chopping, smashing, mincing, carving and sometimes even serving. And, let’s be honest, piling up other kitchen items while we make a bit of a mess.

Plastic boards are affordable and convenient, but have been shown to shed significant levels of microplastics into food. While the health damage caused by microplastics is still being studied, nobody really needs microplastics in their minestrone. And while many people assume that plastic boards are the most hygienic, a study from the Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety found little differences “in microbiological counts” on wooden and plastic cutting boards “after proper cleaning”.

Best overall:
Brooklyn Butcher Block’s End Grain Walnut Butcher Block