Cork, "cortiça" in Portuguese, is composed of dead cells that accumulate on the outer surface of the cork oak tree (Quercus Suber) that mostly grows in southwest Europe and northwest Africa regions, being the majority here in Portugal (34% of the world cork forests)

Harvesting cork it’s an ancient method that can only be done by experts. This process not only doesn’t harm the tree, but it’s also actually good for them. Stripping a cork oak of its bark also enhances the ability to absorb carbon dioxide; the seven million acres of cork forest around the Mediterranean offset 20 million tons of CO2 each year.