Bottled Water Preference for Puerh?

One of the intentionally aged teas, Pu-Erh has a loyal following.
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Jan 15th, '09, 00:11
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Bottled Water Preference for Puerh?

by heatwaves » Jan 15th, '09, 00:11

When making puerh at home, I use <gasp!> filtered tap water through my fridge. I actually love it as it seems to have a happy balance between filtration and mineralization.

A couple of times, however, I've been asked by friends or family to put on informal "tea tastings" at different locations. For this, I didn't want to use tap water, so I purchased large bottles of water. I was shocked that there was a notable change of the flavors of the tea (and not for the better). I used high quality water too -- Fiji, on the first occasion, SmartWater for the second.

If any of you purchase (or have purchased) bottled water for tea, what brands do you prefer?
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Jan 15th, '09, 00:32
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by vibrantdragon » Jan 15th, '09, 00:32

This is strange, when I make tea at my Niece's house in Carlsbad, CA she has a filtration system and it seems to be a good taste. I wonder what the filtration is doing different than the RO water we buy at the store.
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Jan 15th, '09, 02:23
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by Trioxin » Jan 15th, '09, 02:23

I actually use Pana Mineral water (glass bottle) made by San Pellegrino. Seems to be the closest I've found to matching my city water (obtained from aquifer) at home (under sink filtration). Makes some top notch tea.
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Jan 15th, '09, 02:45
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by tenuki » Jan 15th, '09, 02:45

Strangely enough, although I have strong and definite preferences towards certain bottled water for oolongs (Fiji) or green teas (A local brand called Talking Rain) I find my preference for puerh is britta filtered tap water. go figure.
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Jan 15th, '09, 08:38
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by hop_goblin » Jan 15th, '09, 08:38

I use generic spring water with great results.
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Jan 15th, '09, 13:51
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by thanks » Jan 15th, '09, 13:51

hop_goblin wrote:I use generic spring water with great results.
+1
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Jan 15th, '09, 14:33
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by JP » Jan 15th, '09, 14:33

Dublin Road Water Treatment Plant for me. The local stuff is really good! Don't need to buy bottled water.
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Jan 15th, '09, 15:50
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by shogun89 » Jan 15th, '09, 15:50

Currently tap water. Havent done too much experimentation with bottled. I'll give it a try.
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by brandon » Jan 15th, '09, 17:47

I normally use generic spring water (like the 5 gallon water cooler kind), but for very special occassions I will use Pana - it does seem a touch better.
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Jan 15th, '09, 18:24
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by TIM » Jan 15th, '09, 18:24

poland spring only.
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Jan 15th, '09, 19:04
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by wyardley » Jan 15th, '09, 19:04

TIM wrote:poland spring only.
Yeah... unfortunately, only available in the east coast. I don't mind Crystal Geyser, though I try to supplement it with filtered water sometimes.
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Jan 16th, '09, 09:44
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by Geospearit » Jan 16th, '09, 09:44

filtered tap water is more alive (has more ki/chi) than bottled spring so I've been told.
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Jan 16th, '09, 16:46
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by tony shlongini » Jan 16th, '09, 16:46

Geospearit wrote:filtered tap water is more alive (has more ki/chi) than bottled spring so I've been told.
I don't know how to respond to this one.
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by tenuki » Jan 16th, '09, 18:04

tony shlongini wrote:
Geospearit wrote:filtered tap water is more alive (has more ki/chi) than bottled spring so I've been told.
I don't know how to respond to this one.
then you must be very frustrated with the internet in general eh?
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Jan 16th, '09, 21:55
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by Geospearit » Jan 16th, '09, 21:55

tony shlongini wrote:
Geospearit wrote:filtered tap water is more alive (has more ki/chi) than bottled spring so I've been told.
I don't know how to respond to this one.
It has something to do with the water having been in motion. You're good to go if you get your spring water directly from the spring or a stream (just be sure to filter stream water)
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