Watch: A “water sommelier” combines joints, bongloads and dabs with the right H2O
Dasani are the “chicken nuggets” of water – purified, processed and rebuilt from the ground up.
Topo Chico sparkling water helps bring out the flavor of a strain like Hashburger.
And tap water is much smarter than smart water.
These are just a few insights from our conversation with a real water sommelier who has tips for getting high and staying hydrated.
To help us understand water as both a resource, a lifestyle and a cannabis companion, we spoke to Milin Patel, a London-based and world-renowned water sommelier, consultant and founder of aqua tasteology who has carved out a niche for himself by studying and spreading accessible information about his favorite subject – H2O.
“I observe how water interacts in our built environment, from food production to power generation to hospitals… When you ask people, 'Can you describe the taste of water?' they say, 'Hey, it's just water, it doesn't taste like anything.' Mother Nature has more taste than Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola combined. But we were never taught from a young age to respect and drink water in a certain way,” he told me.
In short, we've found a hydro buddy for life. The summer solstice is here and the longest day of summer is just the beginning of the hottest days. Water is the key not only to health, but also to better breath and a happy THC time.
For more follow Milin Patel | World of Water Consultancy on Instagram: @hydratetheimagination.
So what is the secret? “Total dissolved solids”
Much like cannabis, water has a terroir; each source, be it a spring, river, or glacier, affects the way the water tastes, feels, and interacts with other substances—like cannabis. The key is to look for spring water from a single source and then examine the mineral content. This will determine the character of the water, called total dissolved solids (TDS).
TDS is measured in milligrams per liter (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm) and includes:
- Carbonates
- Bicarbonates
- Chloride
- Sulfates
- Phosphates
- Nitrates
- calcium
- magnesium
- sodium
- potassium
- iron
- Manganese and other minerals
But why is TDS so important? Well, it is the main culprit in the taste and character of the water you will experience. Think of low TDS water like white wine, versus high TDS water like a bold red wine.
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Patel explains:
Different waters have different mineral compositions. Some may have higher concentrations of minerals like calcium, magnesium or bicarbonate, which can subtly help the flavor of the cannabis strain linger on the palate longer and also enhance the flavor profile of the water. Low TDS waters can feel light and smooth. Medium TDS waters can be a bit heavy and heavy in the mouth. High TDS waters are quite bold; they have an earthy flavor, maybe sweet, maybe sherbet, a bit sour – very enjoyable.”
TDS in diagram:
- Pure to soft water: 0 to 150 ppm
- Average tap water: 150 to 400 ppm
- Mineral water: 500 ppm and more.
Interesting fact: Vichy Catalan mineral water in Barcelona has a TDS value of 2,900 ppm!
In contrast, Mexican mineral water Topo Chico has 600 ppm TDS.
Add some bubbles:
“Sparkling water can add a refreshing and bubbly element to the experience. The bubbles can cleanse the palate between cannabis inhalations and also provide a unique bubble sensation. It also helps suppress cravings.”
A low TDS water like Fiji, which flows over silica-rich volcanic rock, feels smoother than the naturally carbonated Topo Chico, which comes from Monterrey, Mexico.
Even waters with similar TDS levels can produce different tastes and experiences; in our video interview, Amelia tried a volcanic water from Hawaii, which she found much smoother than the one from Fiji; a naturally carbonated water from Poland was much more acidic than the fresh taste of Topo Chico or San Pellegrino (which is spring water with added carbonation).
Pay attention to the acidity or pH value
Water is either alkaline, neutral or acidic. For example, highly alkaline water (low pH) has a smooth, silky and bitter taste. Slightly acidic water (high pH) can have a pleasant citrus flavor.
Temperature is important
Room temperature, cold water and ice water create different nuances in the hydration experience. Room temperature works best for flavor, ice water for sore throat relief.
(Note: You should drink about 1.8 liters of water per day.)
Make sure you use purified water
Nature can't really improve on anything, so be wary of heavily processed or purified water. Patel isn't a fan of it.
“Purified water, often touted as the epitome of purity, is actually nothing more than tap water that has been put through an industrial processing plant. Opting for purified water may not be in your best interests.”
Remember, purified water is essentially the chicken nugget of water in my opinion. It is extensively processed and then sold to you at a very high price.
Milin Patel, World of Water Consultancy
Natural spring water has more character and therefore more effect.
“Before you take that refreshing sip, delve into the source and filtration process, as they could fundamentally change your entire water experience.”
Some pairing ideas:
When smoking undiluted flower (joint, pipe, bong):
- Water Pairing: Fresh and neutral spring water before combustion can complement the clean taste of smoking pure cannabis. As you burn your buds, a higher TDS and sparkling water can help dissolve the residue and keep your mouth receptive to terpenes.
- Cannabis Strain: For a smooth experience, consider a balanced hybrid like Blue Dream or RS11.
Smoking a blunt, spliff or with tobacco:
- Water pairing: Still, mineral-rich water can enhance the flavor profile, while strong sparkling water with a hint of acidity can cut through the tobacco flavor.
- Cannabis Strain: A robust strain like OG Kush or GMO Cookies can pair well with the rich flavors of a blunt, while a milder strain like Northern Lights can complement the tobacco without being too overpowering.
Vaping:
- Water Pairing: A soft (low TDS), still water can refresh you between vape sessions. Ideally, the water should be at room temperature so the palate can better absorb the flavor.
- Cannabis Strain: Try a flavorful strain like Pineapple Express, Jealousy, and Tropicana Cookies for a pleasant vaping experience.
Speckle:
- Water pairing: Opt for room temperature water to cleanse the palate after each swab. If the swab is too much or the temperature is not right, iced or cold sparkling water will provide instant relief.
- Cannabis Strain: Concentrates often have intense flavors, so choose a strain like Gelato or Runtz for a balanced experience.
More tips:
- Drink water at room temperature to best experience the taste
- Smoke a joint or take a hit with low TDS water for maximum flavor, such as Icelandic Glacial. Finish the hit with high TDS water, such as Evian, to bring out new notes. Then, add some fizz to reset the palate.
- Smoke delicate sativas with low TDS water to enhance the subtlest notes.
- For a flavor safari, smoke strong indicas with high TDS water like Topo Chico.
- Look for niche regional mineral waters for new energy. Try Vichy Catalan in Barcelona. Topo Chico in San Diego, California.
Aside from the “nugget” waters, there is no “right” or “wrong” water, but you may find that you prefer one type when smoking a joint and another when lighting up a dab. There are also different times during your session when different types of water might benefit you; a softer water will prime your palate, while a more mineral-rich water may better quench your thirst and complement the terpenes if you have a dry mouth.
“In summary, choosing the right type of water can enhance the flavor of terpenes, just like the right wine enhances the flavor of a meal,” says Patel. “It promotes the entourage effect and contributes to a more enriching cannabis experience, both in terms of flavor and potential health benefits.”
Looking for the best bottled water?
Much like finding your favorite cannabis strain or family, finding the right water for you is fun to experiment with. While your local grocery store will likely stock some popular brands, smaller shops in culturally-focused neighborhoods often have unique options. Single-source waters will list the place of origin and mineral content on the bottle; it may be worth keeping a notebook to document your pairing journey.
The Los Angeles Times tried 70 of them in 2023. They liked:
- Mountain Valley
- Aqua Carpatica
- Castle Rock
- Panna Waters
- Fiji
- Star button
The best-selling bottled still waters in the US are:
- Aquafina
- Glaceau (intelligent water)
- Dasani
- Poland Spring (Nestle)
(Water snobbery is basically like music snobbery – you hate the bestsellers of the big corporations and prefer unusual, regional brands. Good to know!)
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