Consumer Reports just tested 11 counter top materials, including the ever-popular granite-as well as quartz and laminate. Also included in the tests-new materials like paper composite counter tops.

First, testers evaluated stain resistance. They put 20 different substances on counter tops-including food coloring, tomato sauce and mustard.

With certain counter tops, sealers are important for stain resistance, but they didn't always help.

"Unfortunately, we found that DuPont's Kashmir White sealer in one of the instances actually spread the stains instead of repelling them," said Consumer Reports Celia Kuperszmid-Lehrman.

Next-the heat test. A pot filled with 400-degree oil is placed on each surface. While most did well, the varnished butcher block ended up with a big scorch mark!

A third challenge-how easily counter tops can chip. Testers dropped a heavy, blunt weight through this tube.

This was one test where quartz and granite didn't do very well.

Nevertheless, Consumer Reports found quartz is the best choice for a busy kitchen. It's low maintenance and stain-and-heat resistant-but it is pricey.

Much less expensive-laminate. It's also excellent at resisting stains and heat damage.

The paper composite counter top didn't do so well in the tests. It was susceptible to wear and tear. And in the knife test where something is cut right on the counter-the surface showed cuts.