Cork

nature · material · trees

Seals wine bottles. Cork stoppers are the most famous use of this material. They fit snugly inside bottles and keep wine fresh by blocking air from getting in.

Floats like magic. Cork is so light and buoyant that it naturally floats on water, which is why it was once used in fishing nets and life jackets.

Comes from special trees. Cork comes from the thick bark of cork oak trees that grow in southwest Europe and northwest Africa. The bark can be carefully peeled off without killing the tree.

Resists fire. Cork doesn't catch fire easily because it has a special waxy substance inside called suberin that makes it naturally fire-resistant.

Stretchy and springy. Cork is elastic and bouncy, so it springs back to its original shape even after being squeezed or bent many times.