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If the cook in your family complains about sauces staining utensils, then he or she will appreciate seeing these spoons made from olive wood in the stocking on Christmas morning. This collection of kitchenware products made from the exotic hardwood doesn’t stain, doesn’t transfer heat, won’t scratch cookware, is naturally anti-bacterial and is easily washable with hot, soapy water.
Abdel Allani and Julie Dimas-Allani, from Lake Mary, handcraft the durable kitchenware and decor from olive wood. Julie says her husband and sons have been making the kitchenware full time for the past six years.
“My husband’s family started the olive wood-carving tradition where they live in North Africa in the beautiful country of Tunisia,” Julie said in an email. “They own many acres of olive wood trees there.”
Julie says her favorite thing about olive wood products is the unique wood grain patterns.
It is not advisable to put olive wood products in the dishwasher — it’s better to wash by hand with soap and water. Harsh cleaning products and the intense heat of the dishwasher can dull the wood’s surface. Also, with fluctuations in temperature and moisture, the olive wood can crack.
“Wash it regularly and oil occasionally with any food-safe kitchen oil, such as olive oil,” Julie recommends.
Use the oil when the utensils appear dull and the last oil treatment has worn off. This helps prevent liquid from soaking into the wood and keeps the utensil in good condition, bringing out those unique wood grain patterns.
The Allanis are at the Windermere Farmers Market on Fridays, the Lake Mary Farmers Market one to two times monthly on Saturdays and the Maitland Farmers Market most Sundays. Products can also be ordered from their Handcrafted Olive wood shop on Etsy.com.