No, you don't need a juice groove in your cutting board. However, it is a nifty little addition to any cutting board. When it comes to softwood boards, like the Poplar cutting board, a juice groove helps to collect liquids that would otherwise soak into the soft texture of the wood. Without a juice groove, the liquids will either sit until absorbed or run off the board and onto the countertop. So, in essence, it's a detail that greatly helps when you're cutting a large number of foods, especially moist fruits and vegetables.