The cork oaks

In these abandoned terraces, where before the phylloxera there were vines, a handful of cork oaks (Quercus suber) grow forming a sparse, low forest. From the family of phagaceae, the cork oak, originating in the western Mediterranean, produces this bark to protect itself against fires. The corks layers are removed in the peeling process. Once extracted, the cork industry will manufacture corks for wine or cava bottles. The cork that is extracted from the first peal, the virgin cork, is of lower quality. The crushed virgin cork is made into agglomerate corks and boards used as insulation in construction.