It’s obvious that water falls from clouds as rain drops, but the creators of Smartwater seem to think otherwise. As they cleverly point out on the bottle, “clouds contain nature’s source of water,” so they used this “forgotten” resource to inspire their product. In order to create their pure taste, they capture and distill water vapour, resulting in “hydration you can feel”. Is it really worth all the hype? As a Smartwater virgin, my first sip of this high-profile water, well, tasted like extremely refined water. While “pure” and airy tasting, it wasn’t anything out of this world, I could not feel the hydration, and most importantly, it certainly did not make me feel like Jennifer Aniston.
Perhaps I would have better luck with the forever popular and celebrity-trusted Fiji water. While Smartwater may be fresh-from-the-clouds, Fiji water is filtered through volcanic rocks. As their website advertises, this water is found away from pollution, acid rain and industrial waste. That is, if you don’t count the effects of whatever is set up in Fiji to extract the water, which fills up the millions of plastic bottles, which are flown across the world and then transported all across North America. That said, it was the cheapest tropical vacation I’ve ever taken— $1.39 to be transported to an island paradise much like the one depicted on the bottle. Although I didn’t really taste the centuries old volcanic minerals, I must admit that this water was soft and smooth, as promised.
To put it simply, both Smartwater and Fiji water are just water. They’re not too different from what comes out of your tap, except that they have enhanced minerals and architecturally unique bottle shapes. Do I suddenly feel healthier and more hydrated? Yes, because I drank two bottles of water. But perhaps what I need instead are more nutrients. You guessed it: Vitamin water. On the menu is the 10 calories per bottle ‘Recoup’ Vitamin water. It is peach-mandarin flavoured, enriched with Vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B12. I have no clue what these vitamins do, but I know I need them. As I open the cap, I’m hit with a vivacious citrus and peachy smell. As I drink it, it tastes great. For about two seconds. The after taste isn’t nearly as pleasing, and that’s when I realized that it’s essentially just mildly flavoured water with a bit too much sweetener. Despite not living up to their witty labels (it has yet to be determined if this tasty force of hydration can help me cope with whatever life throws my way), there are a variety of flavours and vitamins to choose from, so you are likely to keep coming back.
After having tried these three waters I sat back and waited. Would I feel more energized? Would I be able to take on the world or increase my IQ? Sadly, the only thing I gained was a very full bladder, and I lost $5.37 (plus tax) in my wallet. I think I’ll save my toonies and get my liquid hydration from the water fountain around the corner.
