San Francisco - March 10, 2008

Come on In, the Water’s Fine

Japanese Bamboo Charcoal

Is there any household issue the Japanese can’t fix? They remedied Ugly Office Supplies with Muji and cured Aggressive Coffee Addiction with green tea.

Now they’re after Global Warming Enemy No. 1: They’re fighting Bottled Water with bamboo charcoal, a centuries-old way of treating water organically.

Stick a piece into a half liter of tap water and voila: naturally occurring minerals (iron, potassium, zinc) make it taste fresh and clean. It’s more effective than those annoying filter pitchers, and you can use the same piece for up to two months before it starts to wear down. Plus, the little slabs cost only $2.50 a pop.

Of course, it’s multipurpose. Place a few pieces in bathrooms, cars, and refrigerators to clean the air.

Problem solved.

Available at Boulettes Larder, 1 Ferry Building Market Place, at the Embarcadero (415-399-1155 or bouletteslarder.com).