Even the pickiest of consumers can find a granite countertop pattern, color and texture that will compliment their kitchen decor, making for a kitchen they will love for ever, until the day they move on.

Granite is also extremely stain resistant and durable. It stands up to acids and other harsh elements commonly found in any 'cooks' kitchen. This means less upkeep and care are additional benefits to the kitchen owner.

And it's gorgeous! The countless colors and patterns can make it difficult to choose just one. Many samples have large clear crystals that give a depth and texture unmatched. The color textures mix with the depth textures to make a canvas you can stare at all day long, and constantly find new features.

Granite is so easy to clean, and annual sealing is a breeze. But there are some things to be considered when caring for your kitchen granite countertops.

And granite countertops are impervious to kitchen heat. Imagine taking a boiling-over pot of water from the stove to settle, and you place it on the Formica counter top - Oops, you could have discoloration or even a burn mark. Even if you're more careful than that, other household members might not be.

Not that a granite countertop doesn't need any care, it does. But with just a minimal amount of proper care, any granite countertop will maintain the sparkle and shine that it had when you chose the slab from the supplier.

One of the biggest problems you can face with all countertop materials is grit or sand. Any object you place on your countertop might have some grit stuck to the bottom. A cooler from the garage, or even a glass of ice-tea from the patio table could contain abrasive grit underneath - grit that can dig in and scratch even your granite quartz given the worst circumstances.

Imagine that horrible sound of a scratch being formed as you innocently slide something from here to there, the sound that tells you - oops it's too late, it's already done.

True there are some manufacturers of products that claim to repair scratches or blemishes from granite, but consider this - A slab of stone with a scratch means that some of the material has been removed. How can any miracle product put stone back? They can't. They can hide it if it's not too bad, but your only real defense is to be diligent and prevent scratches before they happen.

Cleaning your granite countertop is an issue too. Obviously don't use an abrasive like Comet or Ajax - that's common sense. But did you know that ammonia based cleaners - used over time - will dull that amazing shine and luster of your granite. Never use an ammonia based cleaner. If you're not sure, don't use it. You're better off using warm soapy water for the time being - that is, until you can locate a good source specifically for granite cleaners.

Granite needs to be sealed annually. Although it's a highly polished stone, it is still porous, and those pours need to be kept sealed. Sealing the granite helps it resist stains and keep its shine. Sealers can be applied by anyone, since no special skill is required. You can always call a local granite shop to do this work if you prefer, but either way, mark you calendar and get it done each year.

To summarize, granite is the most beautiful, durable, and versatile countertop material on the market. Brand new, it's sparkle will draw the attention of everyone you invite into your home. But fail to care for it, and the shine will eventually dissolve into a dull boring surface that can never be repaired. So do seal your granite each year, never use ammonia based cleaners, and try to be aware of anything that might have grit that can scratch.