Handmade Italian Vegetable Tanned Leather Belt

VEG TANNED LEATHER

Vegetable tanned leather refers to the tannage, or method of tanning the cowhide into leather. It’s called “vegetable” because of the natural materials used in the tanning process like tree bark. Vegetable tanning or veg tan as it’s sometimes called, is one of the oldest methods of tanning known to man. It has literally been around for centuries.

Vegetable tanning refers to leather that is tanned with oak and spruce bark. Also quebracho, tara pods, olive leaves, rhubarb roots or mimosa are common. These substances are placed in a pit along with the skins and hides. As these tannins are derived from plants, the leather is called vegetable-tanned leather. Also the term “natural leather” is used. What makes vegetable tanning so unique is it allows us to use thicker leather and results in more body and character. Vegetable tanned leather also tends to age better and develops a rich patina over time. And it has that awesome classic leather smell.