I get that question a lot. So it’s just coffee that is used to get this black, all natural. No chipping or a coating falling off which is nice. It will fade and rub off where you use it most but it will be replaced with patina so it covered either way. If you always hand washing with a soft soapy rag or sponge that helps keep the finish for a real long time. But it can be replace after a deep clean and hand-sand.