Gadget review: Black & Blum Eau Good

WHAT was the 21st century’s greatest public relations success? The iPod? The personal computer? It has to be bottled water.

Convincing us to pay more than 1,000 per cent above market value for water is lobbying, advertising and persuading on a whole new level. In the UK, we go through a staggering 13 billion plastic bottles per year with only 46 per cent actually being recycled.

Enough with the guilt trip, onto the gadget. The Black & Blum Eau Good is a water bottle unlike any other. Although it looks like glass, it’s actually made from BPA-free (Bisphenol A free) plastic and holds 800ml of liquid. The slightly bulbous design has a second purpose other than to look odd. It holds a piece of Binchotan active charcoal. According to the manufacturer, this type of charcoal was developed in Japan some 1,200 years ago by a monk called Kukai, and was commonly used during the 17th century as a water purifier. It has unique microscopically porous properties so one gram has a surface area the size of a tennis court (500m sq). This reduces chlorine, balances pH and mineralises the water.

Getting the slightly curved stick of charcoal to fit in the bulbous bit of the bottle required considerable dexterity and some pin point pressing using the end of a pair of scissors. After it was in place, I was instructed to leave the water to be infused by the charcoal for up to nine hours for maximum effect. I duly obliged. The water didn’t turn black which was my first concern and although I’m far from an eau expert, the end result tasted considerably smoother than what went in. The charcoal will last for up to three months before a good boil recharges it, and for a further three months after that, until a new stick is needed (available from the manufacturer).

Costing £14.95, the Eau Good represents top value for guilt-free gulping.

Black & Blum Eau Good

£14.95 from www.black-blum.com