April 2, 2007
Fabulous Finds: "Soleful" PurposeThe Great Water Debate Fabulous Finds: "Soleful" PurposeFabulous Finds: "Soleful" Purpose
So, maybe it isn’t such a huge debate, but it should be. You are seated at a restaurant and the very first question you are asked is “Would you prefer sparkling or still water?” Personally, I am partial to still water because I don’t see the point of adding gas bubbles to my stomach that will inevitably need to be expelled in some unattractive way. Plus, there are a handful of scientists and doctors, who say that consuming carbonated drinks contributes to cellulite. So, it is always still water for me.
Depending on how posh the place is, once you have answered “still,” you are asked, “Evian, Voss, or Fiji” or some other grouping of equally esteemed waters. For some reason, that question always annoys me. Why, exactly, I am not sure, but I think it is because of two things. First, the waiter is generally interrupting in the middle of a very important thought and second, because
I’ve honestly never had a preference in water brands
due to my lack of knowledge of the differentiating elements. Of course, taste is a differential, but I have to say that I have never done the taste test to determine my preference. Hawaiian
used to be my water of choice, but that is only because it is hard to come by and I was once told that it is slightly sweeter than the other options.
But let me get to the point of my story. I was staying at the Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica (which, by the way, is recognized to have the most comprehensive environmental program in the North American hotel industry) when I opened my room service menu to find the printed equivalent to that most annoying question. But this time, there was an explanation for my options that helped make my decision much easier. Now I know and you should too.
Artesian Water originates from rain, which filters into aquifers deep beneath volcanic highlands and rainforests. The ancient water then naturally rises to the surface due to the internal pressure. Examples are Fiji from The Republic of Fiji, Voss from Norway and Hawaiian from Hawaii.
Spring Water is held underground in soil and impervious rocks. There is Evian from France, Calistoga from California, Hildon from the UK and Sole from Italy.
Purified Water, now that’s a very different story. Purified water is processed tap water that is made clean through a series of techniques, including reverse osmosis and ozone injection (to “sterilize”). The two most popular types of purified water in the US are PepsiCo’s Aquafina and Coke’s Dasani. In the US, Dasani is the second most popular bottled water. Go figure.
Now that you are informed, I leave it in your hands to make the wise choice when presented with the question, “What type of water would you like?” Wow, now that’s a toughie.
