世界的にはまだ十分に知られているとは言えませんが、水に関する歴史的、文化的背景の豊潤さにおいて日本は世界有数といえます。国土の3分の2を占める森林により雨や雪がゆったりと自然涵養され、それぞれに特徴をもつ四季の中、誰もが日本中で無数の素晴らしい天然水を見ることができます。


名水百選


日本の名水環境の維持促進を図るため、1985年、当時の環境庁により国内の多数の水源スポットから100の名水が「名水百選」として認定されました。選定基準は水質のみならず、歴史背景や周辺住民の水源保護への取り組み方なども評価の対象となりました。2008年、環境省は新たに100の名水を選定し、「平成の名水百選」として発表しました。


100以上のミネラルウォーター・ブランド – 湧水から海洋深層水まで
日本国内には100以上のミネラルウォーター*商品ブランドが存在し、それらの原水種類は湧水、井戸水、鉱泉水、鉱水、温泉水、海洋深層水など幅広いものがあります。欧州の水などと比較した一般的な日本のミネラルウォーターの特徴に軟水でTDSが低いことが挙げられます。地域の地質的多様性があるものの、急峻な地形構造などにより浸透した雨や雪が地下に留まる期間は比較的短く、地層自体もカルシウムのもとである石灰質より火山岩質がより顕著です。

　
このような特長のある日本の天然水の味覚は国際的にみて独特です。ソフトで純粋、センシティブで優しいその味わいは、上質な和食に欠かせず、また白ワインやスパークリングワインとも素晴らしいハーモニーを醸します。一例として、新潟県魚沼地方の円水という水ブランドはヨーロッパの愛好家達に高く評価され、クイーン・エリザベス号やクイーン・メリー号で提供されるべく運航会社のキュナード･クルーズ社にも採用されています。
（*諸外国でいうボトルドウォーターを指します）


温泉水の効用 –　スキンケアから抗酸化まで
独自の火山性構造により、日本の地下水には優に三千箇所を越える「温泉」という恵みも与えられました。日本における温泉文化は入浴が中心で、源泉の多くが美肌によいとされますが、中には療養目的で飲用される温泉も多数存在します。また、九州地方などでは還元作用を持つという高アルカリ性の温泉水があり、それらの中ではボトリングされ販売されているものもあります。
20世紀初頭の明治時代、日本でも数多くの温泉水が薬学的に分析され、医薬品としても販売されていました。戦後は天然温泉水を医薬品として分類することはなくなりましたが、優れた泉質をもつ温泉には、療養目的で今でも多くの温泉客が訪れます。


グローバルウォーター社
株式会社グローバルウォーターは日本を拠点に、世界の水の流通およびコンサルティング業務を行っています。主に海外の法人客向けに、グローバルウォーター社は選りすぐった日本の水の輸出も行っています。


コンタクト情報:
株式会社グローバルウォーター　担当：堀内, tel: 81-(0)3-3827-3011 fax:81-(0)3-3827-3061


e-mail: t.horiuchi@mizuhiroba.jp


国外から日本の水を少量でオーダーする場合：
http://www.mizuhiroba.jp/en/index2.html, http://search.borderless.rakuten.com/borderless/search.action?sid=mizuhiroba&l=en

It is a relatively unknown fact that Japan as a very rich nature, and a deep culture when it comes to Natural water. The country is fortunate to be rich with abundant sources of remarkable mineral and spring waters, naturally produced in outstanding environmental settings, such as forests (covering two thirds of the country’s entire land space) and sufficient rain and snow fall, distributed in four clearly distinctive seasons.


100 Remarkable Waters
In 1995, for the purpose of raising public awareness about natural water and nature conservation, the Japanese ministry of environment selected 100 water sources throughout the country and certified them. The selection criteria were not only limited to the water’s fine qualities and the preservation of the surrounding environment, but also on the historical and cultural background behind the sources. In 2008, the Ministry set out to find a new set of “100 Remarkable Waters”, and added another 100 water sources with waters of outstanding quality and/or distinct character.


Over one hundred bottled brands – From Natural Spring to Deep Sea
Not surprisingly, there are well over one hundred bottled water brands in Japan, their types ranging from natural mineral water, to deep sea waters. The Most popular of those catogories is the natural, mineral waters.. It should be noted, at the same time, that Japanese version of natural mineral water tend to be lower in TDS (Total Disolved Solids) than their european counterparts.


Despite a number of geochemical variations, many natural water circulation systems in Japan are typically “rapid”. Rain and snow fallen on steep mountains gush out after a relatively short life underground (i.e. less than 100 years).


As far as their taste is concerned, this peculiar system produces rather soft, pure and gentle waters which are low in minerals and match well with sensitive cuisines (including sushi and other Japanese specialties). white wines, sparkling wines and Sake. As an example of the refinement of Japanese table waters, Ensui, a brand from the Rice Uonuma region, in the Niigata prefecture, has been so highly received by European connoisseurs, that it was selected by many gastronomy professionals and is now served on board all Cunard Cruises (the operator of theQueen Elisabeth and the Queen Mary).


Hot Spring Waters – From Skin Treatement to Deoxidization
Japan’s volcanic geologic characteristics highlight another aspect of the country’s natural water: its more than three thousand natural hot spring sources. Most hot spring waters in Japan are dedicated to bathing purposes; many are also drunk for wellness or for their taste. Several hot spring waters in Kyushu (which are said to have certain de-oxidization effects due partially to their high pH degree) are bottled for commercial sale.


During the Meiji era (early 20th century), hot spring waters in Japan were attributed a number of medical characteristics. Many hot spring waters were scientifically analyzed and some were defined as medicines. The Post World War II era saw the abolishment of the medical classification of natural spring waters due to the advent of new, and different standards of health administration policies which did not allow spring waters to be labeled as medical products. Today, true hot spring lovers still know how to enjoy (both drink and bathe) good, hot spring waters, as this exceptional product remains deeply anchored in the Japanese culture.


Global Waters K.K.
Based in Japan, Global Waters K.K. is a water specialist distributor and consultant.
Global Waters exports Japanese water products to mainly business clients, but individual customers overseas can also order various products on-line including Japanese Mineral/Spring Waters and Japanese Natural Hot Spring Waters.


Takuya Horiuchi, Global Waters K.K. , tel: 81-(0)3-3827-3011 fax:81-(0)3-3827-3061
e-mail: t.horiuchi@mizuhiroba.jp
Individual customers can make enquiries or orders at either platform below.
http://www.mizuhiroba.jp/en/index2.html, http://search.borderless.rakuten.com/borderless/search.action?sid=mizuhiroba&l=en

With the Superior Taste Awards Ceremony over, and a number of companies holding the Award they have been working on for over a year, the time has come for using the new international recognition they have obtained. This year again, we have not been disappointed by the creativity demonstrated by the awarded companies!


We are observing two main uses of the reports and the recognition provided by the Superior Taste Award. First, an increasing number companies are now using the detailed reports containing the comments made by iTQi’s Chefs and Sommeliers about their products to improve their taste and quality. Those valuable comments, ranging from “a little less sugar would not harm this product”, to “I strongly recommend serving with a light, green salad”, really provide quality and R&D departments with concrete information for refining their products. Whether they are suppliers to large, international distribution companies or small, local producers, more and more food and drink manufacturers saw the value of iTQi’s experts’ opinion to develop their products and ensure they meet the requirements of these refined palates. It was not a surprise to the Institute that an impressive number of its products are submitted two, or even three times in a row, to ensure a regular follow-up of the product’s evolution.


Beyond this unique service provided by iTQi, there is of course the marketing aspect behind winning an award. iTQi’s (awarded) clients, always in search of an authentic story to share with their consumers, find an enormous benefit in using the image and prestige of the Institute’s chefs and sommeliers, recognising the quality of their products! See, for example, this advert by ABC sir, where the Chef’s appearance, supported by the Superior Taste Award’s label, adds significant credibility and a certain amount of reassurance that the product tastes, indeed, very good.


Another creative approach consists in ensuring the producer’s achievement hits the news, and, in that way, gains credibility. Ename Abdijham, an abbey ham from Belgium awarded in 2010 with one star, took this approach and organised two consecutive meetings with the press that filmed its facilities and its production processes. This image, associated with the story of the Superior Taste Award, provided Ename with a powerful tool to communicate the quality of its processes! Another (impressive) example is the visibility obtained by Sarmat beer on search engines. By ensuring a wide distribution of their press-release and by mobilising their network in the national press, they have managed, in a very short time frame, to cover multiple pages of results in Google and other search engines! All this is, of course, associated with the daily enriched Press Archive mentioning iTQi and the Superior Taste Award, which ensures local, and international visibility.


We won’t mention, of course, that using the products biggest show-case (the packaging), or communicating about the award at trade fairs are both essential ways to ensure that consumers visualise the achievement!


Did you see any original communication of the Superior Taste Award that we have missed? Have you seen any press-cut about the International event? Let us know!

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Did you know? The International Taste & Quality Institute (iTQi) is getting social. As from now, you can find us on Linked-In, Facebook and Twitter to make sure you’re up to date on the Institute’s latest activities and events!

Exceptional news for the Institute!

Matteo Ghiringhelli, member of the Associazione della Sommellerie Professionale Italiana and regular participant at iTQi’s tasting panels and “Chef Sommelier” at Milan “Wine” in Paris, was recently awarded the title of “Best Sommelier of Italy”. During the competition, his expertise was recognised by a group of peers and wine experts from all over Italy.

His ambitions don’t stop in Italy, however, as he well be soon competing for the title of Best Sommelier of Europe.

We’re extremely proud, at the Institute, to have Matteo as a member of our Taste Experts Team and are happy to celebrate his achievement.


We wish him, of course, all the best for his next challenge!

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Thank you for reading!


Don’t hesitate to leave a comment on this article using the button below! We’re always interested in knowing what you think!


You can also make sure you never miss a single post by registering our blog’s RSS feed in your favourite online RSS reader or email program.


Did you know? The International Taste & Quality Institute (iTQi) is getting social. As from now, you can find us on Linked-In, Facebook and Twitter to make sure you’re up to date on the Institute’s latest activities and events!

For the 6th consecutive year, the International Taste & Quality Institute’s 120 jury members, all renowned chefs and sommeliers members of the most renonwed international associations, came to judge and evaluate an impressive number of food and drink consumer products from around the world. The results of the tests are now known and published on the website www.itqi.com

It has been an exceptional year because, of the 902 products submitted, 702 received an award:

• 157 products receive the “Superior Taste Award – 1 star”
• 414 products receive the “Superior Taste Award – 2 stars”
• 131 products receive the “Superior Taste Award – 3 stars”

With a sensory analysis scoring above 70%, these products receive the Superior Taste Award 2010, a recognition of their taste Excellence which provides producers with a powerful marketing tool to develop their sales.

In 2010, there was a 14% increase in registered products.

Proving that iTQi’s concept is increasingly looked-after, the 2010 edition saw a 14% increase in registered products compared to last year.

Among those registered products, 13% of them came from Belgium. iTQi’s evaluation tests are an invaluable reference for producers, as they allow them to obtain comments and suggestions on their products, made by recognized experts in Taste.

“Awards” ceremony

The official Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday, 27 May 2010 from 18:00 at the Cercle Gaulois in Brussels, in presence of the awarded companies, Ambassadors and commercial representations from many countries, the press, as well as a panel of Chefs (Michel Pasquet, Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, Marc Pralong, Académie Culinaire de France, Robert Van Duüren, Président des Maître-Cuisiniers de Belgique, Jean Castadot, Président d’Euro-Toques…) and sommeliers (Xavier Faber, 2000 Meilleur Sommelier de Belgique, David Seijas, sommelier de El Bulli…).

International Taste & Quality  – iTQi
Tel. : +32 2 372.34.22
email : info@itqi.com
Website : www.itqi.com