Although not known for its fine wines West Africa is the region for Pure Water (known locally as Pyaar Waata or Sachet du l’Eau). Locally sourced and sacked in every province these delectable libations quench the thirst of entire populations. The 500ml plastic sachets have only a three month shelf life and an aversion to direct sunlight however it is when you break these rules that complex notes arise to play havoc with the senses and tantalise the palate.
Here is our list of the finest Pure Water 2013 has to offer:
March 2013 Ice Pack – Biting into this superb vintage you are immediately overwhelmed by a pungent surgical glove experience. The depth of this plastic flavour continues through the body of the Pure Water leaving a delightfully artificial taste on the palate and a slight burning sensation in the throat. Big, bold and clinical.
February 2013 Standard – This particular run of sachets are subtle in flavour on first tasting but a powerful aroma of homoeopathic medicine soon conquers the senses. Invoking memories of Holland and Barratt during the sales this Pure Water leaves you with a New Years resolution nausea. A leading contender for the 2013 top spot.
June 2013 Kak Water – A taste of the wholesome outdoors, think stagnant bucket or neglected hosepipe this vintage comes alive with a stunning brackish essence. Grungy, hedonistic, and pond-like each mouthfull builds to unforgettable heights – a bilharzia fantasy.
June 2013 Everpure – Commandeering its complex fragrance from nearby goods this sachet takes on endless layers of overripe and artificial fruit. Dynamic and tangy this flavour hits you with the intensity of a self releasing Ambi-Pure air-freshener. Passionate, fruity and exotic this is one to savour.
May 2013 Ahenfie – A Pure Water of balance and harmony and one that keeps getting better and better. A surprise to the senses its sublime freshness has hints of Evian and calls to mind water from our childhood. This rare vintage is hard not to quaff in one sitting. Though it’s subtle notes may not appeal to all we believe if any sachet deserved 100pts this would be the one.
On first thought these 500ml sachets seem like the perfect way to imbibe this life essential beverage, inexpensive and readily available they are popular with all. After some small reflection however their inherently discard-able nature is clearly causing a huge problem for West Africa. The rubbish they generate litters even the remotest of settlements and this plastic debris will last generations. It is saddening to see West Africa’s natural beauty plastered with such waste but at 20 times the expense recyclable bottles are just not an option. Ultimately until access to clean running water is wide spread and waste management is addressed by governments these vintages will continue to look as bad as they taste.
