You have finally found it!  The perfect natural stone countertop for the baking center of your kitchen. The natural stone countertop has an amazing feel and it is visually striking.  It reminds you of the stone countertops in a classic European kitchen, which is what you have always desired for your home. You are just about to make your purchase when a concern crosses your mind - is it really practical and wise to install a white marble countertop in the baking center of your home?  

The short answer is YES!  And you're right, Europeans have enjoyed white marble countertops as baking surfaces for centuries.  However, when choosing white marble countertops for your baking surfaces, there are a few things to consider in preserving its natural beauty and complementing its natural aging process.

Preservation

It is important to remember that, while marble is very hard, it is naturally porous and therefore sensitive to the absorbtion of oils and acidic liquids such as wine and coffee.  While polished marble is quite beautiful and shiny, it tends to lose its shine after some use and does not enhance the natural aging process of the stone.  Therefore, to maintain the look of a white marble countertop, as seen in many European kitchens, it is best to avoid polished marble for baking surfaces and instead choose white marble that has been honed and sealed by a professional.  In addition, you should clean your white marble baking surface soon after use to avoid undue staining.  

Natural Aging Process

For centuries Europeans have come to love white marble countertops for kitchen baking surfaces understanding that these countertops naturally age.  In fact, Europeans take much pride in the look and feel of their aged marble countertops.  Indeed, a well-aged white marble countertop is like a well-aged wine - both are quite rare and valuable.  A beautifully aged white marble countertop is the envy of style-conscious individuals.  Therefore, when choosing white marble for your kitchen, you should embrace this process not forgetting the preservation steps mentioned above.  Although Europeans embrace the "aging" of their white marble countertops, they also take great steps to foster the process by taking good care of the surfaces.  

There is no doubt that white marble countertops are a truly a beautiful and stylish natural stone countertop.  Once you embrace the true beauty of this natural stone countertop, you will expect nothing less for your home. You can see all your options for marbles at marbleandgranite.com and, please don't hesitate to give us a call to answer your questions or give you one of our favorite bread recipes.