Coffee/wax stained wooden bowl

by Leslie
(Berkshires, ma)

I just purchased a large rectangular wooden bowl. It is made in Mexico and the woman (from a shop here in the U.S.) said that it was stained with coffee grounds and wax, but was definitely food safe. It has a very red color (not sure of the wood type) and as the woman suggested, I wiped it down with a damp paper towel when I got home. The towel came back covered in the reddish stain and it looks like it will continue to do so as long as I keep rubbing it! Is this a safe bowl for salads or is it just decorative?

Thanks!

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Arbutus Ron here...

Sounds like a reasonable description of how it was finished.

Try tasting it. Your tongue should know.

If worried just keep wiping it. You could also use very fine sandpaper.