Cork It! A look at one of Portugal’s “signature” exports

Anyone who has opened a bottle of wine knows what cork is . . . but do we?

Harvesting cork is a truly ancient practice as archaeologists suggest that the Iberians used cork as early as 3,000 BC. In the 18th century cork production became an organized industry and by the 19th century cork began to be the essential component in the sealing of wine bottles. Unsurprisingly, the demand for cork increased rapidly. Today, Portugal is the world’s leading producer of cork, accounting for around 50% of global cork production and home to approximately 730,000 hectares (acres) of cork oak forests.

Cork comes from the bark of a particular species of oak tree, Quercus Suber, a cousin to the oak trees used for barrel aging wine. Cork is harvested in a process that peels the bark rather than cutting the tree down. Cork trees can live for more than 200 years, and their bark harvested every 9 to 12 years. This process not only allows for a renewable supply but also helps the trees absorb more CO₂ making cork a carbon-negative material.

There are two cork trees “vying” for the title of oldest.

• The first is in Courant d’Huche in the Landes region of SW France is about 16m in height with a girth of 5m. Experts claim it was planted c1600, making it 400-425 years old.
• The other is the so-called Whistler Tree at Águas de Moura, south of Lisbon. It was planted in 1783, the year that the United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, ending the Revolutionary War, making it 242 years old. (Our post image is of the Whistler Tree, so named because of the 100s of birds that inhabit its branches._

Cork oak was one of the first protected trees in the world. This status dates back to at least 1546, when Portugal’s King John III forbade it from being cut down. While the trees are all over Portugal, it is predominantly found in the Alentejo where it thrives on high temperatures and water scarcity. It is a significant habitat and food source for dozens of wild and domesticated animal species.

Cork has many desirable qualities:

• Lightweight and buoyant
• Water-resistant
• Fire-retardant
• Hypoallergenic
• Biodegradable and recyclable
• Durable and flexible

Cork is used for more than wine bottles. It is suitable for acoustic and thermal insulation in house walls, floors, ceilings, and facades. It is used to make vinyl record slipmats, due to its ability to not attract dust. Sheets of cork make bulletin boards as well as floor and wall tiles. It is used in shoes to improve climate control and comfort and as an alternative to leather in handbags, wallets, and other fashion items.

And now you know!