The Brand
Itza Wood7
Tropical woods from the Petén jungle, carved and finished by hand.
- Based in
- Petén, Guatemala
- Made from
- FSC-certified tropical wood
Meet the Maker
Exotic woodware from the heart of the jungle.
Itza Wood was founded by Eliza Babarczy in the Petén, the largest remaining tropical forest in Central America. The lumber comes from community-run, FSC-certified yards inside the Maya Biosphere, and the team planted 45,000 trees before cutting any.
Each piece is made by hand by Guatemalan artisans. The wood is kiln-dried so it travels well, then goes through around 14 steps of cutting, sanding and finishing before it's inspected and packed. Boards, bowls and utensils get a food-safe beeswax finish that brings out the grain of granadillo, jobillo, mahogany and manchiche.
The craftsmen are paid fair wages, and profits are reinvested in education for young people in the region.
Each piece is a unique expression of Guatemalan beauty and biodiversity.
Pairs well with
For the dinner party: a platter, a board for the cheese, servers for the salad and a cellar for the salt.
Care & Ritual
Caring for your wood
Wash by hand with warm, soapy water and dry right away. Never leave it soaking or put it in the dishwasher. Condition boards, bowls and utensils with beeswax mixed with a food-safe oil, such as mineral or linseed oil. Oil once a week for the first month, then whenever the wood starts to look dull.