🤔Why so much cork in Portugal?🚋Bababobo, Handicraft and Souvenirs Shop in Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal🛺
- BabaBobo
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
A question that deserves some clarification;
🥇Portugal is the world's leading producer of cork, whose production is mainly in the Alentejo region famous for its vast cork oak forests. This natural material is part of the ancestral culture and local economy. Beyond its well-known use in wine corks🍾, Alentejo cork has found a unique place in craftsmanship.
The Unique Qualities of Alentejo Cork
Alentejo cork stands out for its durability and natural beauty. Harvested without harming trees whose bark is removed, cork is a renewable resource that grows back every nine years. This eco-responsible aspect is attractive to travelers who value tourism and products with a low environmental footprint.
Cork also finds its place in construction as a natural insulator thanks to its unique cellular structure filled with air which gives it excellent thermal and acoustic properties.
Behind the Production of Liège, the Know-How...
In Alentejo, artisans use traditional methods passed down from generation to generation. The process begins with harvesting the cork carried out manually between May and August, a delicate operation requiring expertise and precision, as clumsiness can injure the tree and prevent the regeneration of its bark. The next step is drying in the open air for a minimum period of 6 months during which the cork stabilizes and reaches uniform humidity. It is then boiled to increase its elasticity and thickness, an operation after which experienced workers carry out selective sorting, the best cork being kept for the manufacture of bottle-stoppers, while the rest is crushed to be transformed into agglomerated cork or "cork fabric".
In the field of fashion, cork has established itself as an ecological and vegan alternative. It is appreciated for its natural appearance, its lightness, flexibility and impermeability. It is mainly found in the making of handbags, jewelry, hats, umbrellas and even shoes.
Where to Find Authentic Alentejo Cork🚋Bababobo shop, Souvenirs and Handicraft in Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal🛺
Coruche, which houses the Observatório do Sobreiro e da Cortiça, a building whose facades are entirely covered in cork, is officially recognized as the world capital of this incredible material. Beyond offering the dream bucolic setting for those who want to reconnect with nature, Coruche is home to the oldest bell in Portugal, dating from the 12th century, and welcomes many owls🦉; Legend has it that the first king of Portugal said while crossing this magnificent country: from today, these lands will be called Coruche (from the Portuguese coruja-owl).
The owl🦉, image of wisdom, intuition and clairvoyance, linked to the Greek goddess Athena, just like the cat🐈, which symbolizes independence, mystery and freedom, revered as the incarnation of the goddess Bastet, is the perfect transition that leads us to the presentation of our brand new trivets, Made in Portugal, since the cork and azulejos are locally made, which is a guarantee of quality.
Final Thoughts on The Cork of Alentejo
Although the reasons for exploring the Alentejo are legion, in many regions of Portugal travelers will have the opportunity to find in local markets, craft fairs, in specialized stores and in souvenir shops a wide variety of cork items, which are, just as much as the ceramic swallow, the Santo António sardine or the Galo de Barcelos, essential and original gifts.
🚋Come and visit our Souvenirs and Handicraft Shop in Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal🛺
