Is it genuine leather? Yes. Is it full-grain? Yes. Vegetable tanning—or veg-tan —simply refers to the method of tanning leather. In addition to being one of the oldest methods for tanning full-grain leather (some claim it dates back 5,000 years), it's also the most environmentally friendly. This technique uses natural plant tannins, such as those extracted from birch, oak, willow, chestnut, and other plants, instead of harsh chemicals like chromium (known as chrome-tanned leather). The result is a premium, high-quality leather that ages and develops a patina beautifully and naturally. This tanning method drastically reduces the amount of harmful chemicals released into the environment.