The Cork Quality Council has specified standards for the visual grading of cork.
Parameters:
(1) overall visual appearance
(2) major flaws in surface
(3) minor flaws in surface
|
Overall
|
Major Flaws
|
Minor Flaws
|
Grade
|
|
excellent
|
none
|
none or few, very shallow
|
A
|
|
good
|
none
|
some but shallow
|
B
|
|
average
|
one or more, but cork functional
|
NA
|
C
|
|
poor
|
multiple but cork functional
|
NA
|
D
|
|
very poor
|
significant, cork not functional
|
NA
|
E
|
Features to look for:
(1) cracks or channels
(2) hardwood or greenwood
(3) horizontal cracks
(4) chips
(5) worm holes
(6) holes or pores
(7) discoloration/staining
(8) belly spots
(9) angled or deformed
