What would a WATER TASTER seem to be to you????

M TO G A Z I N E

 LABORATORIO|OLIVER-RODÉS

IT EXISTS 90 % of the stiff water happens for his hands. He might be a fiction personage, but Benet Oliver-Rodés, that of the signature “notarial ” in the water bottles, it exists.

He is 75 years old and his family, for one century, is in charge of analyzing the liquid element. Today, 90 % of the one that packs in our country raisin, every three months, the strict control panel of his laboratory.

And why he? “Por the mouth to mouth ”, answers this “enólogo ” that throws below the universal insabora epithet and that would be capable of recognizing different varieties in a tasting blindly.

The business of mineral –y luxurious, since it appears on these pages – has gone off due to the care of the body.

 Malavella: Adapted for cases of acidity. It helps to neutralize the uric acid excess.

 Montepinos: Recommended for cases of arterial hypertension and heart failure.

 Ty Nant: Adapted for diets rich in calcium. Recommended from 50 years.

 Catalan Vichy: It helps to the dissolution of the glazing of uric acid, avoiding the calculations formation.

 Acqua Panna: It possesses an effect diuretic, helps to the prevention of gastric disorders. If the water had a secret formula, as it happens with the Coca-Cola, it would be necessary to look for his composition in the pocket of the robe of the doctor Benet Oliver-Rodés. One enters his laboratory –hace four years started of the heart of Barcelona and relocated in a polygon of Prat de Llobregat, much more industrial and functional – with the curiosity to discover what his monopoly obeys.

Almost the totality of 104 marks different from stiff water that take place in Spain they have chosen him so that it endorses the composition of his liquid.

Do the test. Look at the tags. It will cost him desenroscar a bottle which analysis does not take his personal stamp. Benet Oliver-Rodés, 75 years in August, it might be said that he is the notary of the water that we drink. “Trabajamos for 90 % of the waters packed in Spain.

We have clients of Gallicia, Canaries, Balearics, Aragon... Curiously, there are autonomies as Gallicia, where we analyze all the waters: why? ”, he says.

He waits for the interview for garment in white robe and formally sat in the table of his office. There is no only one water bottle in the stay. Perhaps because he does not want that his preferences are revealed and it wakes up jealousy between the rest of his nourished portfolio clients.

Neither is computer in the table. “: To handle it? God frees me! Do not you see the age that I have? ”. His face framed by the glasses, the faded gesture, resembles the Cela visage.

It takes the reins of the interview and often he is autointerrogated (“y you will ask me that... ”). His vozarrón expresses himself with the diction of an academic scholar in full conference, but it transmits that he is speaking on something that excites him: it waters down. “: Why do they choose us? ”, he prepares to reveal the mystery: “Laboratorios there are many, but our success takes root in being exclusively specializing in water analysis.

And not only we do to them the analysis, which is to give to our clients a few pages full of numbers, but also we offer them professional advice. This is what distinguishes us. All the industries in a moment or other have a problem: of packed, of machinery, of stoppers, of tubes, of labeling... They know that we help them to solve it.

The mouth to mouth does the rest ”. Serve like example of his influence, that in his ground, Catalonia, only one water escapes to his report. “No we are friendly simply. There he ”, he says without revealing the mark. –: Is the water colorless, inolora and insipid? –Para not at all. The water has no color, it is colorless, of course it is true. On the smell... Very well, even it might go so far as to discuss if it smells or not. And that has flavor undoubtedly.

But, with how easy it is to speak about the flavor of the wine, for example: what is it possible to say about the flavor of the water? Since it has no aroma, the flavor de facto is salted only, sweetly, bitterly, acidic and small more … But the water knows. By force of years proving all the waters that come to his laboratory and that of those cities who visits –a many has come like member who is of the Technical Committee of the EU of Stiff Waters –, a palate of expert taster has been forged.

He even would dare to try to recognize them with a simple gulp. “Existen many marks and it is very difficult to say exactly it is this one, but someone are so specific, so typical, that yes. I am capable of saying this one it waters down it is of such a place, especially with the sparkling mineral waters, that they are less ”.

In the Earth there are 1.400 million cubic kilometers of water. Of them, 1.370 million are salted, 26 millions correspond to the ice of poles and glaciers, 230.000 cubic kilometers are in the lakes and 13.000 in the ambience. From the rest, 3,2 million secret cubic kilometers of groundwater at sight, it is extracted the one that comes to our shops.

The sector of the stiff water, with a world growth as for the consumption of 12 % annual, is one of the most dynamic of the food industry.

 –: What must have a good water? –Tiene that to have a balanced composition, which is what normally gives him an agreeable flavor: a little of sulfates, a little of sodium, a little of chlorides. For the most part they always predominate over the bicarbonates and the calciums. But the most important thing it is what it must not have: no bacterium that could suppose a risk for the health of the consumer. Lineage. Benet Oliver-Rodés Clapés, president of the company, is the visible head of a famila dedicated to the water analysis for more than one century. The laboratory created by his grandfather –también Benet Oliver and Rodés – in 1902, went on then to the hands of his father, Benet Oliver Suñé. Very quickly there will take the reins of the business the children of the current Benet, the fourth generation. Jorge is already a general manager; Alberto, marketing manager, and the daughter, Victoria, takes charge of the museum of 4.000 water bottles that possesses the laboratory.

The company, which invoices two million euros a year, cimienta on a fundamental prop: to support the familiar spirit. “Cosa that is not easy ”, says that the doctor Benet “Nos they have come to offer of everything. The big marks face between themselves, but we are supported to the margin and they know it. To be in the middle of the war of the water that exists right now without being part is the most complicated ”. 32 members of the staff –entre pharmaceutical, chemists, biologists, engineers and technical staff –, are employed at 1.200 aseptic square meters. Quite of immaculate target. So far they come, proceeding from all the points of Spain, hundreds of bottles dependent on analysis.

Any company dedicated to selling water that aspires to place his product on the market must realize a daily analysis of every stiff lot. A very basic process that the marks realize in their own laboratories. But every three months they have to surrender to a much more complex examination, and it is then when they call on the verge of Oliver-Rodés.

“Además, every five years as much ”, tells the doctor, “las marks are forced to do a finished analysis, which it includes up to the temperature and we have to move to the reception point to take it. Also the pollutants' absence is verified, the radioactivity … Sometimes we take three weeks in doing it and even one month ”.

let: What happens when they think in the water a little that it should not be there? –Se we communicate it immediately to the client with absolute professional secret. We can neither denounce nor warn to Health. On the contrary. We say to him: “Mire, it has this problem and this is the solution ”. They can spend many things: that a rusty or contaminated bomb have, or that the reception is protected badly, or some mistake in the bottling process... In some case we have had to say: “Mire you, his water has no solution ”.

We like mineral. Spain, according to the last information that there handles the National Association of Companies of Stiff Waters of Drink, reached in 2002 his production roof with 4.315 million liters of stiff water, 4,7 % more than the previous year. As for the preferences of the Spanish the majority was praised by the natural mineral water: 87,9 %. 7 % chose that of spring. The rest, prepared drinking water, like that Coca-Cola recently has admitted that it was commercializing in England provoking the polemic. “Un artificial, journalistic scandal ”, to say of Benet Oliver-Rodes.

“No the tap water is taken and it is packed without much ado. It talks each other and talks each other thoroughly. It passes for three types different from filters, desmineraliza completely, salt and enclosed ozone are added to him so that it should kill any bacterium ”.

In 2002, the Spanish we consume 100 liters of mineral water for inhabitant, opposite to the 160 of the Italians, the 135 of the Belgians or the 113 of the Germans.

–: Is the stiff water that we drink the Spanish good? –Yo he would say that it has an excellent quality. Partly because it is a very, very controlled industry.

–: What explains such a spectacular growth of his consumption? –Un set of things. First of all, the bad water quality of the big urban sprawls. Secondly, the interest in the care of the body. This gives a healthy feeding and to drink enough water of good quality, which contributes zero calorie. Another reason is the cult for the natural thing. The people know that the tap water is treated and he prefers a natural mineral water, which is a water as arises.

–El notary of the water: does it drink only mineral water? –Sí, on one hand for professional distortion and for other one because the water of public consumption of the city of Barcelona is not that it has the best flavor, as it might say of that of Madrid. The museum of the doctor Oliver-Rodés, located in the low part of the laboratory, stores more than 2.000 liters of stiff water. He does himself of guide and explains the most curious histories of some of 4.000 bottles that it hoards, gathered from 95 different countries. Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, the Arab Emirates, Greece, Denmark, Paraguay …

In some of his packings the industry was born 200 years ago. “Cuando the clients of the thermal stations of Germany and of France, were finishing his stay, were asking: And how can I keep on drinking this one it waters down when it returns to my city? This way there arose the idea of packing them ”, he says, indicating a few big ceramics bottles with cork stopper with two centuries of history. It looks with reprobation gesture at some bottles which plastic allows to see the water made dirty by a color verdecino. “Son seaweed ”, says, “si they are well stiff this does not happen. Certainly the best thing there is the glass and the stopper of crown ”.

Between his pieces they represent marks which success in our country would be more than doubtful. As the South American Caramulo or the Been China.

Some of the tags for his extravagance at the time of selling the product might found proper museum. Read if not as the Vilajuiga water was publicized, 50 years behind: “Los healthy individuals, especially debilitated of the big capitals, can make use of them as ordinary drink and in indefinite time, at least of special prohibition of his doctor ”.

Laboratory Oliver-Rodés, street Moreres, 21 (Polygon Estruc), Prat de Llobregat (Barcelona). Tel.: 93 478 56 78. Web: www.oliver-rodes.com

Luxurious mineral waters Gleneagles: Recommended for the making of infantile food and for renal problems. Origin: It was stinging (United Kingdom).

Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 2 euros (25 cl) and 3,50 euros (75 cl).

Characteristics: under content in mineral salt, since the spring from which it comes has very much caudal and has not time to which sedimenten the salt of the area.

Acqua della Madonna: For sportsmen who after an exercise meeting lose big salt quantities. Origin: Naples (Italy). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 1,60 euros (33 cl) and 3 euros (75 cl). Characteristics: rich in mineral salt, it has a high place contained in calcium, sodium and magnesium, what makes her advisable also for bony and digestive problems.

Malavella: Adapted for cases of acidity. It helps to neutralize the uric acid excess. Origin: Gerona (Italy). Varieties: with gas. I boast: 0,72 euros (50 cl) and 1,05 euros (1 l). Characteristics: it comes from the spring of Caldes de Malavella, discovered in 1841. It is indicated to prepare the osteoporosis. The presence of fluorine helps to avoid the caries.

Llanllyr: Adapted for problems of kidney and for the making of infantile food. Origin: The Welsh (United Kingdom). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 3 euros (33 cl) and 5 euros (75 cl). Characteristics: I design minimalista for a water of low content in minerals that makes her adapted for the still immature renal function of the babies.

Blú: It has effects diuretics. His version with gas improves the digestions. Origin: Rímini (Italy). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 1,80 euros (33 cl) and 3 euros (75 cl). Characteristics: the Galvanina spring is one of the most ancient of Italy. Blú is indicated especially to improve the balance of calcium and magnesium. 464: Indicated for persons with heavy digestions. Origin: Kent (United Kingdom). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 1 euro (50 cl) and 1,05 euros (50 cl with gas). Characteristics: modern, dynamic and sports image. Waters like this one, bicarbonated, sódica and calcic they are favorable also for cases of diabetes, since they improve the answer to the insulin.

Montepinos: Recommended for cases of arterial hypertension and heart failure. Origin: Soria (Spain). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 0,60 euros (50 cl) and 0,80 euros (1 l). Characteristics: the spring is placed to 985 meters on the sea level. His content in calcium and almost absence of sodium, properties award him diuréticas.

Voss: Recommended for problems of hypertension that need diets low in salt. Origin: Norway. Varieties: native. I boast: 2,23 euros (33 cl) and 3,82 euros (80 cl). Characteristics: the aquifer from which it comes has stayed virgin for centuries under rock and ice. His aseptic image and minimalista it reflects the purity of his composition. Decantae: Suitable for cases of high cholesterol, since it favors the fats assimilation. Origin: The Welsh (United Kingdom). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 2,50 euros (33 cl) and 5 euros (75 cl). Characteristics: bicarbonated water and clorurada of low content in sodium and nitrates. It favors the incorporation of the fats to the biliary juices.

Ty Nant: Adapted for diets rich in calcium. Recommended from 50 years. Origin: The Welsh (United Kingdom). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 1,83 euros (33 cl) and 2,90 euros (75 cl). Characteristics: proceeding from an ancient spring of the Welsh mountains of Cambrian. Water of big purity recommended for the daily consumption.

Tau: It facilitates the intestinal transit and has effects diuretics. Origin: The Welsh (United Kingdom). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 1,53 euros (33 cl) and 2,26 euros (75 cl). Characteristics: it is of mineralization weak and low in sodium (in his version without gas) by what also it is indicated for slimming and patient diets with hypertension.

San Pellegrino: It improves the digestive functions, helps and prepares against the kidney stones. Origin: Milan (Italy). Varieties: with gas. I boast: 0,87 (25 cl), 1,03 euros (50 cl) and 1,45 euros (75 cl). Characteristics: it sprouts with its own natural gas of the rocks of the preAlpine region to the north of Milan. His high place contained in calcium strengthens the bony structure.

Lynx: Adapted for systems poor in salt, pregnant women and children in growth age. Origin: Parma (Italy). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 1,50 euros (33 cl) and 2,35 euros (75 cl). Characteristics: it comes from a small vale to the north of the Apennines. His origin determines the composition of a water low in sodium and nitrates.

Lanjarón: Especially indicated for persons with disorders of the digestive system. Origin: Sierra Nevada (Spain). Varieties: native. I boast: 0,47 euros (the sports packing of 33 cl) and 0,45 euros (1,5 l). Characteristics: it comes from the snow leaked across the rock. It resists the acidity and the stomach heaviness. Suitable for patients with renal problems.

Deeside: Advisable for persons who endure problems of rheumatoid arthritis. Origin: It was stinging (United Kingdom). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 2 euros (25 cl) and 3 euros (75 cl). Characteristics: it comes from the Pannanich wells, in the Scotch mountains. The water protected from the exterior ambience, filters across an ancient granite rock.

Catalan Vichy: It helps to the dissolution of the glazing of uric acid, avoiding the calculations formation. Origin: Gerona (Spain). Varieties: with gas. I boast: 0,75 euros (50 cl) and 1,10 euros (1 l). Characteristics: it sprouts spontaneously of the ground with its own carbonic gas. His mineral composition stimulates the gastric secretions and generates an antacid effect.

Wattwiller: Adapted for special requirements of calcium and for treatments of hypertension. Origin: Alsace (France). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 3 euros (50 cl) and 3 euros (1 l with gas). Characteristics: half a liter of this one water provides a third of the daily needs for calcium. The fluorine that it contains contributes to a good dental hygiene. Nash’s: He prepares the formation of calculations of kidney. Origin: Limerik (Ireland). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 1,50 euros (33 cl) and 3 euros (75 cl). Characteristics: it comes from a spring of 700 years of antiquity discovered by a group of crossed. The specialists recommend the consumption of calcic waters to prepare kidney calculations.

Hildon: Ideal for the preparation of infantile food and treatments of high cholesterol. Origin: Hampshire (United Kingdom). Varieties: native and with gas. I boast: 1,20 euros (20 cl), 2 euros (33 cl) and 3 euros (75 cl). Characteristics: by his low content in minerals it is adapted also for the diet of the adults with problems of high cholesterol.

Acqua Panna: It possesses an effect diuretic, helps to the prevention of gastric disorders. Origin: Florence (Italy). Varieties: native. I boast: 0,87 euros (25 cl), 1,03 euros (50 cl) and 1,62 euros (1 l). Characteristics: it helps to the prevention of the formation of kidney stones, effect that provokes the expulsion and elimination of the uric acid. Essential notions The waters with gas contain carbon dioxide. Someone sell as they have been extracted from the spring; gas of the spring adds them to others or carbon dioxide joins them. * The tag must specify to what form of the previous ones it belongs. * The content in salt changes very much.

12 can spend of mg for liter of dissolved salt that contains the French mark Charrier, to 5.400 mg that the Austrian Sicheldorfer presents. * The natural mineral water, the darling of the Spanish (87,9 % of the one that is consumed packed) is of underground origin, bacteriológicamente it recovers and with mineral salt. It has a beneficial action on the organism. * The mineral watermark without gas that more is consumed in Spain is Font Vella; with gas, Catalan Vichy. * That of spring is drinkable, underground, bacteriológicamente it recovers, but it does not have any specific action demonstrated on the organism. * The prepared drinking waters are treated so that they fulfill the same sanitary requisites that are demanded from that of the faucet. They do not have the quality level of the previous ones AT PRESENT THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 400 VARIETIES OF MINERAL WATERS, and it is already quite common that in the restaurants they have their enough varieties, and soon I will do an interview to the first enóloga of a Restaurant much acquaintance of Valencia. So that they could see how important THE WATER is for the health of all"" I Wait they have enjoyed the note