We carved these spatulas from cericote wood, which is a hardwood. They are ideal to use when frying things as they won't scratch pans like the metal ones do, or melt like the plastic ones do, explain the carvers from Peten Wood Artisan Sculptors. Cericote wood is a naturally dark-grained wood with interesting patterns and sometimes shows white parts creating a striking contrast. Please note that hot and/or spicy food may dye the natural wood, yet spoons can be filed and finished with oil to return to natural coloring.