BUTCHER BLOCKS
Custom Butcher Block counter tops are available in many sizes and materials. Typically Rock Hard Maple is used for maximum overall durability. Reasons for using Maple in general are that it has a very tight grain structure and it is a very hard material.
When using other woods such as Walnut and Oak which are very porous you should consider a urethane type of finish as a topcoat to prevent food from entering the pores of the wood.