Bath Vanity (Type of Wood/Finish?)

[Josh Hulit]

I am pricing a bathroom vanity and medicine cabinet for a customer. They would like a dark finish, it is called an "espresso" finish on some furniture websites. I picked up a sample piece of alder to try out , but have recently read some negative comments online about using alder in high moisture areas, and also with blotchiness when finishing. I'm thinking I want to use wood with minimal grain lines since it should be easier to hide with the dark finish. Should I maybe lean towards birch or beech? Also, does anybody have a recommendation for this "espresso" finish? Thanks!

[Howard Acheson]

Yes, alder does color unevenly when stained with a pigment stain. But, beech, birch and maple behave the same way.