What is the best wood to use on a butcher block topped kitchen island? This is not for show; this is for use!

Thank you everyone!!!

This may be because my husband and I are recent college grads (5 years... that still counts as recent, no?) But, he built me a kitchen island and we used Ikea's $12 butcher blocks as the top. It took 3 across. They are removable, which makes cleaning (and treating) a breeze and should they ever need replaced it won't hurt too much at all.

If you're island is more permanent then mine (the bottom half is a wire shelf, the top half the cutting blocks) I don't think that's much help. But on the chance that you're building yours, this was a cheap alternative and it gets daily use! (picture attached, not the best, but I'm at work and it's what's on my phone!)

I have walnut at home -- you can see it here: https://food52.com/blog/4072-renovating-the-food52-kitchen The walnut has worked out very well. We also used a walnut surface in our old office.

The bench in our bakery is made by John Boos; not sure what type of wood it is but it stands up to a lot of daily use/abuse.

I have a butcher block table that was custom made for me in 1975 to use as a kitchen island/work space. It's maple. and it is still as beautiful as it was when I brought it home 40 years ago. It's a real treasure. My heirs are bickering about who should get it. :)

Thank you!

I have always seen Maple. And I don't think it's that necessary to match it to cabinets or whatever. It's an island. Separate from other woods in the kitchen.
Cheers

I have always seen Maple. And I don't think it's that necessary to match it to cabinets or whatever. It's an island. Separate from other woods in the kitchen.
Cheers

Personally, I would want to make sure that the wood you select fits with any other woods in the kitchen. That said, most "serious" cutting boards I have seen tend to be cherry, maple, or walnut...these are harder than other woods and are generally widely available.