Water Treatment
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| PHÎÒÎ: AP |
In Ukraine there is not only a big problem with the quality of drinking water, but also with the culture of water consumption. While an average French person consumes 4,570 m3 per year, in Ukraine this figure is about 1,700 m3. Moreover, if our city dweller spends about 320 liters of water a day, the Europeans spend 100-200 liters. However, Ukrainians use only 5-10% of the total amount for drinking and cooking. Maybe it´s because of the Soviet past, as after the lean Soviet years we go heads over feet for the bright packaging and acid color drinks like a bunch of tribal Indians for shiny beads. Be as it may, Ukrainians still prefer soda drinks to natural non-carbonated spring water, packed juices and mineral drinks, while Europe long ago gave its choice to non-bubbled bottled water.
Simple rules
All great things are simple, tested by time and often forgotten. That is why the most efficient nutrition systems like the Mediterranean diet are based on ancient traditions. The same applies to water: a glass in the morning on an empty stomach half an hour before meals and another one in the evening two hours after eating - a proven best minimum for a day. Another rule is that water is a self-sufficient substance and it is not recommended to drink it either during the meals or immediately before. The French diet guru loved by “gently slimming” ladies Michel Montignac expresses his point of view on the subject like follows: “Never start dinner with a glass of water. This custom arisen in recent years is the source of many troubles associated with metabolic processes. It is better to drink water between meals in the second half of the day.” For optimal digestion it is better to use acidic drinks while eating, so European restaurants often serve water with lemon to wash down the dinner. The only thing that remains to figure out then is what is potable water? The EU directive on drinking water quality defines it as “intended for human consumption. This is any water in its natural form or after processing, is used for drinking, cooking, cooking or other domestic purposes, regardless of its origin and whether it is delivered by water mains, tanks, bottles or other containers. “Good” tap water can also be drinking, unfortunately, this is almost nonsense in Ukraine, while in practically all regions of France tap water totally meets drinking water standards, which is closely monitored and regularly checked. Maybe it’s because French turned the process of drinking water into a sacral thing.
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| PHÎÒÎ: Shutterstok |
Waterworld
One-liter bottle or pitcher with simple tap water is a familiar picture in low-cost European institutions. Up to 1990 in France was a law under which the bread, spices and water were offered to customers free of charge. After raising rates for the utilities the rules have changed and today for a pitcher of water an institution can charge a fee, but only if the value is listed in the menu and at the same time is appropriate. The gastronomic restaurants along with wine lists offer “a map of mineral waters” with a few dozen names. You can choose the water “transparent” or “excellent”, with a taste of lime or bitter, mineral, viscous, sparkling or salty. A map of water in Colette water-bar which is one of the most fashionable boutiques in Paris consists of hundreds of water brands imported from twenty countries of the world. The idea is that any visitor should be able to find here his “home” water, which also differ by an unusual history, composition or packaging. Map changes constantly, depending on the procurement and the season. For example, highlight Colette water-bar - Water Cloud Juice from the Australian island of Tasmania consists of 4875 drops of rain collected in a desert island and there is a sale only after the rainy season.
Standards and Terms (French classification)
Mineral (still or carbonated) is the water extracted from a particular source (a clear geographic location), which has in its composition mineral substances with health benefits. Designation of a water as a "mineral" in France is up to the Medical Academy. The source of mineral water must be located in environmentally clean place, away from objects that pollute the environment. Filling water bottles is carried out on the site and without any further treatment. On the labels of mineral water must specify its qualitative composition, as according to it there may be contraindications for use.
Spring water
Extracted from an underground reservoir this water is clean on the results of microbiological analysis. Without additional processing, it meets all standards of drinking water, but unlike mineral, has no specific mineral composition and has no medicinal properties.
Purified water
River water or water from surface sources treated with carbon filter.
Enriched water
Purified water and enriched with mineral composition, as, for example, Bona Aqua by Coca-Cola. (according to the Restaurateur magazine)
Water vogue
The most expensive mineral water in the world is "Ice Queen" in a designer bottle that is a joint product of Evian and Christian Lacroix, sold at auction in Dubai for US $23,000.
In France, about 70% of water sold accounted for brands Evian, Badoit, Volvic and Chateldon.
American healthy lifestyle fans prefer the unique qualities of Norwegian Voss and do not spare US $40 for a 0.33 numbered bottle.
Belgian low-carbonated water Bru is believed to be a model of harmony. It has a unique taste of neither still nor carbonated water, which makes it a perfect choice to accompany any wine or dish.
The optimum dilution for whiskey is Scottish Geneagles, a Sean Connery´s choice.
Flexible water was invented at the end of last year at Tokyo University. It includes 95% of water, while the rest is clay and organic components. It looks like elastic and transparent jelly mass.
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