Anova 2210

A deep, saturated black with a fine dark grain that gives it depth instead of a flat field, scattered with tiny silver sparkles that catch the light and flicker as you move past. Under spotlights, or beneath a pendant over an island, that sparkle is the whole point.

Two fair notes before choosing a black: a dark surface shows dust, water spots and fingerprints more than any other tone, and a polished finish shows them more still. It is a matter of a regular wipe rather than special maintenance — but on an open island in view of the whole living room, it is worth knowing in advance.

Anova Quartz is an Israeli maker and importer based in Be'er Sheva, supplying engineered quartz with a high quartz content and a twelve-year warranty (registered online after installation). The quartz is non-porous — it will not absorb wine, lemon or oil, it never needs resealing, and soap and water handle the daily clean. Like all engineered quartz it is not heat-proof, so a hot pan goes on a trivet rather than on the worktop.