It’s holiday season and our tables are laden with delicious meats and tasty cakes. Naturally, we start thinking about serving “better” water and beverages to our family and guests.
As the famous Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Water is the driving force of all nature.” What better way to celebrate life than drinking good water? Although Singapore is truly one of the few countries in the world where you can easily drink clean water from the tap, are there just days when you might want to drink good water to celebrate, to pair with that great meal you’re having, or simply to pamper your guests and yourself?
If you’ve done your research, just a 500ml bottle of Acqua Panna Natural Mineral Water costs about $3.70 in supermarkets and convenience stores like 7-Eleven. Evian Natural Mineral Water costs a similar price ($3.30) for the same amount of liquid.
To the uninitiated, the price may come as a shock and you may wonder why they are so expensive. You may wonder why you should spend twice or even three times as much on water when you can take other brands and serve them chilled or just boil your own water without spending a penny.
Before you decide to add other brands to your cart or opt for free alternatives, here are reasons why it’s worth paying more for Acqua Panna and Evian natural mineral water.
Read also: 6 alternatives to online supermarkets: online grocery stores, delicatessens, organic marketplaces, butchers, fishmongers and specialty stores
Acqua Panna and Evian are hundreds of years old brands
Acqua Panna originates from Tuscany, an area where the Medici family lived, a powerful family that influenced Italy’s history and politics. While some streams and springs were undrinkable due to pollution, the Medici family protected their spring (Acqua Panna) and used it as a source of clean drinking water since the 16th century.
This means that the Acqua Panna water source has a history of over 450 years. When people learn about Acqua Panna and its history, they will believe that the water is of the highest quality because the source is known for its “pure” qualities and has been protected for generations.
Evian water is extracted and bottled from its source, the Cachat spring in a small village called Evian-les-Bains. The picturesque town lies below the French Alps and on the shores of Lake Geneva. The spring was made famous by the Marquis de Lessert, who drank water from it in 1789 and claimed that the water improved his ailing health. The brand has been around for more than 230 years.
Thanks to their long tradition, the brands can build trust among generations of consumers. Customers are willing to pay a premium to consume spring water because the brands have maintained their image unchanged over the centuries.
The scarcity of natural sources from one source
Acqua Panna’s natural water comes from an underground spring that takes many years to flow to the source. The spring is located on the Panna estate near Florence. The estate is 1,300 hectares and is home to wildlife as well as Villa Panna (a farmhouse that once belonged to the Medici family). The area has a long tradition of luxurious and world-class vineyards. Since the spring water comes from the same land used to make fine wine, it is natural for people to believe in the quality of water from this area.
Evian’s water comes from a single source – the Cachat spring, which trickles down from the French Alps. The company owns the water source and no one else has the right to take water from the same source. This also means that the company works very hard to protect it from pollution and spends a lot of money to keep its glacier clean.
The Evian water source is closely guarded to prevent humans from entering and committing injustice, and investments are being made in green technology to ensure the glacier is preserved for as long as possible.
Read also: Why companies and investors need to consider water risks as part of their ESG considerations
High quality natural mineral water with fresh taste and health benefits
Thanks to the balanced mix of mineral salts and trace elements, Acqua Panna goes perfectly with numerous dishes and wines. The water contains elements such as calcium, chloride, bicarbonate, magnesium and sulfate and has a “clear” taste that is unique to the natural Acqua Panna spring.
The brand also markets its water as a companion to fine dining, as its “clear” and “cold” taste cleanses the palate for the next course. It is also suitable for those who want to drink wine and water at the same time to avoid getting tipsy – because Acqua Panna does not alter the taste of the wine.
Evian water is known to taste “cool” and “fresh” because it is extracted from glacial snow. The nutritional composition of Evian water includes calcium, chloride bicarbonate, magnesium, nitrate, sodium and sulfates. These are natural components that only occur in an underground formation called an aquifer, from which water flows to the earth’s surface at a spring. The spring water is naturally pure and has a stable composition.
Source: Evian
Natural spring water is said to be high in nutritional value and offers numerous health benefits, according to health website WebMd. It may contribute to better heart health by lowering bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, and relieving constipation.
Efforts by Acqua Panna and Evian to maintain a sustainable production process
The companies pursue sustainable processes and leave a low carbon footprint, which is an advantage for the environmentally conscious consumer.
Acqua Panna has applied for certification with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) in 2022 to change its production processes and procurement technology. The AWS is a global membership collaboration of companies, non-governmental organizations and the public sector. Members contribute to the sustainability of local water resources by adopting a universal framework for the sustainable use of water.
Evian is a pioneer in sustainability and announced in 2017 that its French bottling site is CO2 neutral. The site is powered by 100% renewable energy.
Evian has also changed its bottling process and now uses bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – the most recyclable plastic in the world. However, the process of making these bottles is costly and time-consuming, as the company tests the bottles and produces the PET material itself.
Although the bottling process costs more, this is Evian’s way of staying true to its trademark healthy living and protecting the planet. The company produces 6 million plastic bottles every day and over 2 billion a year – it’s encouraging to know that all of this plastic can be recycled.
Shipping and distribution, branding and marketing costs
Since the two brands are from Europe, the prices of the goods automatically increase when imported here due to transportation, shipping costs and taxes. The drinks are also likely to be heavy, which increases shipping costs. By the time the drink we pay for arrives at our tables, we’ve paid quite a bit for shipping and distribution, even if we don’t see it.
Brands also need to run marketing campaigns and promotional activities to reach new markets and maintain the relevance of their products.
Thanks in part to their branding efforts, the bottled waters are viewed as luxury lifestyle products and are served in upscale restaurants. It makes sense for upscale restaurants to serve premium water to their guests, as these customers are likely to expect high-quality service and food, which also applies to the water they consume.
How to save money on Acqua Panna and Evian
The most convenient way to get high-quality water at a reduced price is to purchase in bulk.
Acqua Panna is sold on Amazon for $14.19 for 6 bottles (500 ml), which 2,37 € per bottle and about $1.40 cheaper than if you were to buy 1 bottle at a grocery store ($3.70 per bottle).
A package of 6 bottles of 500ml Evian Natural Mineral Water costs $10.15, which is 1,69 € per bottle and about $1.60 cheaper than buying a bottle at convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Cheers ($3.30 per bottle).
Purchase of Acqua Panna and Evian natural mineral water
|
1 bottle 500ml Acqua Panna |
$3.70 per bottle |
|
6 bottles of 500ml Acqua Panna |
$14.19/6 = $2.37 per bottle |
|
1 bottle 500ml Evian |
$3.30 per bottle |
|
6 bottles 500ml Evian |
$10.15/6 = $1.69 per bottle |
You can also look for seasonal deals in supermarkets when prices are reduced on most products. Try to stock up and buy more of the discounted items to save on multiple purchases in the store.
Another way to save money is to sign up for a membership or rewards card at grocery stores and collect points/rebates to redeem discounts on the items.
Don’t forget to show your family and guests that you spent money on expensive water. The funny thing about branded water is that you often don’t believe it until you see it, so display the bottles prominently on the dinner table to show your guests that you really got them good water.
Photo credit: Angela Teng, Grizzlybear-se
Also read: Guide to the different types of durian and how much they cost
The post Why premium bottled water like Acqua Panna and Evian is so expensive and why we buy it anyway appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
