Chopping boards come in a variety of colours, but there are 7 main colours that are most commonly used – white, black, red, green, blue, brown, and yellow. The colour of a chopping board is an important factor to consider when choosing one for your kitchen. Different colours serve different purposes and have their own sets of pros and cons. In this article, we will explore the 7 main chopping board colours and what each colour means.
White Chopping Boards
White chopping boards are one of the most popular options on the market. They provide a clean, neutral backdrop that makes it easy to see your ingredients while you’re prepping and chopping. The white surface also gives you a clear indication of how clean your board is. If stains start to develop, it’s a sign that you need to thoroughly wash and disinfect the board.
Here are some key benefits of using a white chopping board:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Shows dirt and stains clearly | – Can stain easily |
| – Provides good contrast with ingredients | – Requires more frequent cleaning |
| – Classic, neutral appearance | – Not as durable as darker colours |
| – Goes with any kitchen decor |
White boards are best for prep work with fruits, vegetables, breads, and light-coloured foods. Their clean appearance helps provide a sanitary look in the kitchen. Just be aware that white boards will need more frequent cleaning and replacement than some other colours. Avoid using them for working with foods that can stain easily, like beets or turmeric.
Black Chopping Boards
Black chopping boards provide a striking visual contrast in the kitchen. They make ingredients “pop” and stand out on the dark surface. Black boards are also easier to keep clean looking than white ones because stains don’t show up as clearly.
Some key pros and cons of black chopping boards:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Doesn’t show stains/discoloration | – Can be hard to see ingredients |
| – Stylish, modern appearance | – Requires diligent cleaning to avoid bacteria |
| – Hides knife scars well | – Can absorb heat from hot pans |
| – Durable and long-lasting | – May dull knives faster than softer boards |
Black boards pair nicely with stainless steel kitchens and modern decors. Their darker color helps hide accumulated knife scars over time. However, be sure to clean black boards thoroughly since sliced foods and juices won’t be as visible. Avoid placing hot pots and pans on them which can cause scorch marks.
Red Chopping Boards
Bright red chopping boards provide a fun pop of color in the kitchen. They create an energetic, vibrant backdrop for meal prep. Some benefits of choosing a red board include:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Adds visual interest | – Can stain easily |
| – Helps hide some stains | – Requires more frequent replacement |
| – Indicates “meat” board | – Not as durable as darker colors |
| – Perfect for tomatoes, peppers, etc. |
In commercial kitchens, red boards are often used specifically for raw meat preparation. This helps avoid cross-contamination with other foods. The red color helps naturally disguise some of the staining that occurs. At home, red boards add a lively pop of color while chopping vegetables like tomatoes or peppers. Just take care to thoroughly clean them and replace when they start looking too stained. The red color will fade over time with use.
Green Chopping Boards
Green is thought of as the color of nature, renewal and health. It’s no surprise that green is a popular color choice for chopping boards. Some positives of using a green board are:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Indicates “produce” board | – Can stain easily |
| – Adds a natural element | – Color may fade over time |
| – Pairs well with veggies | – Not as durable as some boards |
| – Provides good contrast |
In commercial and home kitchens alike, green boards are often dedicated to fruits and vegetables. This helps prevent cross-contamination with meats. Green creates an earthy, pleasant backdrop for chopping healthy greens, herbs, and other produce. It’s easy to see your ingredients on the lighter green surface. Just know that green boards will show wear and stains over time with regular use and cleaning.
Blue Chopping Boards
You may not see blue chopping boards as often, but they can be a fun and stylish option. Here are some upsides and downsides to choosing a blue board:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Unique appearance | – Can stain easily |
| – Indicates “fish” board | – Hard to see ingredients |
| – Coordinates with blue kitchens | – Needs frequent replacement |
| – Visually appealing |
Vibrant blue boards provide great contrast with lighter foods like fish and seafood. In commercial kitchens, separate blue boards are often kept for seafood preparation to avoid mixing flavors and potential allergens. At home, a blue board can add a pleasing pop of color and style while prepping lighter fare. Just keep in mind that ingredients can be hard to distinguish on the darker blue surface at times.
Brown Chopping Boards
Brown is an understated yet versatile color option for chopping boards. Here are some upsides and downsides of using a brown board:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Natural, neutral appearance | – Can show some stains |
| – Pairs well with a range of foods | – Not as durable as darker browns |
| – Doesn’t distract from ingredients | – Duller than some other colors |
| – Hides wear reasonably well |
Brown boards have a rustic, earthy appearance that blends into most kitchens. Unlike brighter or darker colors, brown provides visibility for ingredients without being distracting. It’s well-suited for general prep work with a variety of foods from meats to vegetables. Just expect that lighter brown boards will show wear sooner than darker finishes. But brown’s natural look helps disguise knife scars and discoloration reasonably well over time.
Yellow Chopping Boards
Yellow chopping boards provide a sunny, cheerful personality in the kitchen. Some benefits and drawbacks include:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Bright, happy appearance | – Can stain easily |
| – Good visibility of ingredients | – Needs frequent replacement |
| – Uplifting color for meal prep | – Not as durable as some boards |
| – Pairs well with light foods |
The lively yellow color creates an energizing backdrop for prepping lighter fare like vegetables, breads and eggs. It provides high visibility for safely slicing and chopping ingredients. However, yellow boards show wear, scars and stains more noticeably over time. Their lighter color requires more frequent cleaning and replacement than darker or patterned boards. But for occasional prep, yellow boards infuse a cheerful glow into any kitchen.
Conclusion
When selecting a chopping board for your kitchen, consider which color will best suit your needs and style. White, black, red, green, blue, brown and yellow boards all have their own pros and cons. Lighter boards like white and yellow provide great visibility but require more cleaning. Darker colors like black and blue are stylish but can make seeing ingredients difficult. Red, green and brown strike a balance between fashion and function. Choose the chopping board hue that best fits your chopping tasks, kitchen decor and personal taste preferences. And be sure to thoroughly clean and replace boards as needed over time, no matter which color you choose.
