Final answer:
Good cork has elasticity, compressibility, durability, and impermeability, making it ideal for sealing bottles. Cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of good cork include several important features. Firstly, elasticity is vital as it allows the cork to compress and expand, forming a tight seal in the neck of bottles such as wine bottles. Secondly, cork should have an adequate compressibility to ensure it can be inserted into the bottle without crumbling. Thirdly, good cork needs to have durability to maintain its integrity over time and not degrade or react with the bottle contents. Lastly, it should have impermeability, which prevents liquids and gases from passing through, thereby preserving the contents of the bottle.
Cork is a unique material harvested from the bark of cork oak trees. This natural product offers sustainability since the trees are not cut down for cork extraction, and the bark regenerates over time.