Water filter system

[auhckw]

I have recently found out a problem.

Whenever I am at the teashop the tea there always tasted better, but I couldn't get the same kick at home.

So I did an experiment. I brought along my water and my brewing equipments to the teashop. Upon testing, we concluded that the equipments seems fine, but the water is the problem. Side by side comparison showed that the tea brewed using my water is somehow less tasty/flavoring.

So what water system am I using at home?

Outside the house:
http://www.diamondmasterfilter.com/diam ... filter.htm

In the kitchen, this is the water filter I use for drinking/boiling:
http://www.diamondmasterfilter.com/diam ... _water.htm

Quite disappointed with the outcome of the filter, but what can I do...

Edit: I didn't mean the filter by itself is bad. The water that came out is good and clean. It does it job for what it advertised. Just that it is not so good for tea brewing

[Mr. Usaji]

I don't know much about water filtering, but did you try it with only one of the filters? The description of that inside filter sounds like it does a lot more than most water filters do (adding minerals etc.), which might end up making the water worse for tea.

Also keep in mind that it might not be just the filters, but the water coming into your house. You can't do anything about that.

[auhckw]

I don't know much about water filtering, but did you try it with only one of the filters? The description of that inside filter sounds like it does a lot more than most water filters do (adding minerals etc.), which might end up making the water worse for tea.

Also keep in mind that it might not be just the filters, but the water coming into your house. You can't do anything about that.

These filters have stones inside which adds mineral to it. The water itself is good to drink, but perhaps it is not suitable for tea.

Yes, I have tried with and without the kitchen filter and it seems that the difference is not a lot. I would think the problem lies with my outside filter. That outside filter filters direct pipe water before entering the house. High chance the problem is with that.

Or maybe like what you said, it is the water that is coming into my house that is not good. It could be the piping issues, etc. I think I have to take unfiltered water from outside and give it a try one day.

[Tead Off]

I have recently found out a problem.

Whenever I am at the teashop the tea there always tasted better, but I couldn't get the same kick at home.

So I did an experiment. I brought along my water and my brewing equipments to the teashop. Upon testing, we concluded that the equipments seems fine, but the water is the problem. Side by side comparison showed that the tea brewed using my water is somehow less tasty/flavoring.

So what water system am I using at home?

Outside the house:
http://www.diamondmasterfilter.com/diam ... filter.htm

In the kitchen, this is the water filter I use for drinking/boiling:
http://www.diamondmasterfilter.com/diam ... _water.htm

Quite disappointed with the outcome of the filter, but what can I do...

Edit: I didn't mean the filter by itself is bad. The water that came out is good and clean. It does it job for what it advertised. Just that it is not so good for tea brewing

A cheap experiment is to place bamboo charcoal in your kettle, after it is cleaned and boiled separately. Then boil your water for tea and see if there is a difference. I use this all the time and my tea is fine. I also store water in a ceramic container also containing bamboo charcoal. It should be very cheap in Malaysia. I get mine for free but it normally costs $10 for a kilo.

[tingjunkie]

I second Tead Off's suggestions.

I just finished a week long cleaning marathon of an antique porcelain jar to be used as a water storage container. It's now time to begin my experiments on aging both tap water and Poland Spring to see how they come out. I'll also be playing around with different types of charcoal as well.

[auhckw]

Thanks for the bamboo charcoal suggestion. Wonder where can I find it... will try to search around.

[tingjunkie]

It's my theory that any activated charcoal will work about the same. I am planning on ordering some dust free aquarium charcoal pellets soon and putting it to the test.

[Mr. Usaji]

Tingjunkie, is bamboo charcoal normally supposed to be used in plain tap water, without any other filtering system?

I'm thinking about switching to charcoal if I can find out where to get some, and what kind. (I'm a bit reluctant to use something that wasn't made for food purposes, since I don't know what's in it.)

[Tead Off]

Tingjunkie, is bamboo charcoal normally supposed to be used in plain tap water, without any other filtering system?

I'm thinking about switching to charcoal if I can find out where to get some, and what kind. (I'm a bit reluctant to use something that wasn't made for food purposes, since I don't know what's in it.)

Personally, I use filtered water then transfer it into vessels containing bamboo charcoal. Bamboo charcoal is different from other charcoals in its structure and able to adsorb more.

In Thailand, and, I imagine through most of SE Asia, bamboo charcoal is used by Tribal peoples in their water filtering and purifying systems. It is generally not used as the sole means of filtering. Lot of info on google.

[tingjunkie]

Tead Off- Do you boil the bamboo charcoal first, or simply rinse it off and throw it in the water container? Also, do you "recharge" it by letting it sit in the sun?

With my experimentation so far (which mainly consists of using pieces boiled with tap water in my glass kettle) the charcoal's effectiveness drops off rather quickly, even after recharging it. Still, virgin bamboo charcoal seems to do magical things with tap water for a couple tea sessions anyhow.

[Tead Off]

Tead Off- Do you boil the bamboo charcoal first, or simply rinse it off and throw it in the water container? Also, do you "recharge" it by letting it sit in the sun?

With my experimentation so far (which mainly consists of using pieces boiled with tap water in my glass kettle) the charcoal's effectiveness drops off rather quickly, even after recharging it. Still, virgin bamboo charcoal seems to do magical things with tap water for a couple tea sessions anyhow.

I get my supply from the hills of Northern Thailand. I cut them into 7-8cm sections. I rinse them with cold water and then put them into boiling water for 10-15 minutes. This will kill any bacteria (I think). Cool them off and put them into the kettle. At first, they float. Then they will sink to the bottom. I use them for about 2 months and then throw away. I don't believe the recharging in the sun thing. This seems like an old wives tale. The bamboo is adsorbing chlorine and other things from the water. They adhere to the charcoal. How is sun bathing them going to get rid of this stuff? It's so cheap here that it's better to just discard them or use them for one of the other purposes that are found on some websites like getting rid of smells from the fridge. Most places selling the charcoal are giant ripoffs. The cost here is about $10/kilo.