Useless information #90 - Cork.
Cork is relevant.
At least for us portuguese since we produce a lot and export it like crazy.
Cork is the outer bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus suber).
Why is it important? For several reasons.
For starters it can be really sustainable provided that all the actors work well and ethically.
- It's environmentally relevant because the forest systems where cork oaks are well managed are usually very valuable from the biodiversity standpoint.
- It's socially and culturally important because the cork extraction and overall management of the system has been around for centuries and many generations helped shape these landscapes and fine tune the processes.
- Finally, it's economically relevant because... it's profitable!
Join all these and you have a sustainable product with beneficial outputs for everyone involved.
By the way, cork oaks usually are grown in a mixed system with agriculture/pasture and livestock, called montado.
I leave you with a short video and an article on the subject but first I invite you to take a look at @davidgermano's post
The portuguese MONTADO: a unique habitat!
https://ecency.com/post/@davidgermano/the-portuguese-montado-a-unique-habitat
In case you wonder how I managed to find such an old post, @good-karma's hivesearcher is the answer. 👌
- How cork is made: An illustrated guide to the cork production process
See you tomorrow for more Useless information!
Hive on!
RMach
We’ve travelled to Portugal many times over the years and seen where the trees have been harvested. Driving through the vast areas of forests. Fascinating to see. I always prefer a bottle of wine that’s got a traditional cork!
Interestingly some American friends of mine were commissioned to do a magazine article on the Spanish cork industry. I never realised they had one! I met up with them in Madrid as they finished the project. They spent a number of days living with the families and documented their lives. In the Spanish business they mainly harvest cork for Sherry and their own wine products. So I guess it’s a different business model and not as old as the Portuguese industry.
It's a similar system but Spain has more holm oaks, with good accorns to feed pig, than cork oaks. We have better cork and they have better ham 😋
I remember sampling some of their incredible ham in Madrid on that trip! Thanks for sharing the video!
https://twitter.com/Rui_Mach7/status/1482829704033980418
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