You might wonder, why is there a piece of cork on the top of our candles? Well that answer is longer and deeper than you would like to hear about, but in case you’re still here…here’s a little summary.
Cork is an amazing material. It is exceptionally strong and doesn’t rot. Portuguese explorers used cork to make the masts of their ships which they called “sôvaro”. It also doesn’t burn. NASA uses cork in their space shuttles for thermal protection. Cork comes form the bark of the cork oak tree, and it is the only tree where the bark can be removed and the tree survives. Harvesting cork oak is like shearing a sheep. Every nine years the cork can be harvested and these trees live for hundreds of years, making it one of the most sustainable resources in the world.
50% of the world’s cork comes from Portugal. In Portugal there is a saying, “plant a cork oak for your grandchildren” because families go back to the same tree for generations. The tree grows in very alkaline soils where most other things cannot grow. Portuguese view the cork oak as a precious tree…a generous tree…no tree gives more while demanding so little.
The largest cork tree and oldest cork tree in the world in found in Portugal. It is over 235 years old and it called “Sobreiro Monumental”. This is where Sobreiro Candles heralds its name. Each candle comes with a roughed out piece of cork bark from the Portuguese region. It is a reminder for us to give so much more than we take away. Each cork bark topper absorbs the scent of the candle so you can use the cork as a diffuser to infuse a little of the candle scent into your home long after the candle is gone.
Here at Sobreiro Candles, we find great meaning in the cork tree. In its resilience. It its special qualities that make is so unique. And in its giving so much more than it takes in order to bless generations over centuries. The founder of the company, visited Sobeiro Monumental in May 2022. He hopes that you feel a small portion of the gratitude and strength in this candle top that he did when he placed his hand on the tree. And in the meanwhile, let it be a reminder, to be like the cork tree. Be CORKy.