Tests on our amphora have shown that they do perform natural water purification. They purify, detoxify, condition and energise tap water. I’m thrilled to bits with my Amphorae! I started out with the 2-litre, which to be honest was enough for my needs when used judiciously. I would fill two 1-litre glass bottles first thing in the morning, refill the urn, then 8 or so hours later I’d have another 2 litres ready for to go. Chlorides. Some chloride occurs naturally in water, but all water companies introduce chloride to kill bacteria and to deodorise the taste and aroma of the water. Conditioning tap water in our clay amphoras, reduces the chloride levels and makes the water much more palatable. Plus, they’re very collectible. There are a surprising number of botijo museums and collections across Spain. One of the latter can be found in Pampaneira, another village of the Alpujarra mountains, just a few miles uphill from Las Barreras. It was the pride and joy of José Martín Aragón, a local trader who passed away 20 years ago. Many of Martín’s botijos are more art than appliance. Ignacio Amigo The 25L amphora is mainly used by home brewers to de-chlorinate and purify the water used in the brew liquor and other customers use it for the storage of dried goods such as beans and rice. Keep the 25L amphora on the ground and fill it up with a large jug. These large amphoras are too large for regular use and I would recommend getting several of the smaller-sized amphoras if you have large water requirements.

Bacterial colony counts were also kept lower in the amphora than in untreated tap water. Water from the tap should be free of the bacteria, however, colonies do appear over time. On average tap water forms 1 colony of bacteria at 22 degrees Celsius over 3 days and 3 colonies at 37 degrees Celsius over 2 days. Water conditioned in the amphora overnight showed less than 1 colony at on days 2 and 3. Water conditioned in the clay amphora shows none of the following bacteria at all: Coliforms, Eschererichia coli, Enterococci or Sulphite reducing Clostridia. There is some suggestion too, that following these natural flow forms, clusters of water molecules reduce in size: customers report that the amphora-conditioned water feels more liquid in the mouth, more refreshing in the stomach and overall more hydrating. How to Use an Amphora Pot Preparing your Amphora for Natural Water Purification Although you can find them in many different shapes and colors, most botijos share a few features: round, with a handle on top and two holes, one on each side. One of the holes is wide, and used to fill the jug. The other one is at the end of a spout. When drinkers heft the jug into the air, it pours a thin stream of water into their mouths. (Touching the spout with your lips is taboo.) The botijo Argárico de Beniaján is the oldest such jug found in Spain so far. Public Domain

FAQ

Our laboratory tests on water which has been conditioned in our traditional clay amphora overnight have produced exciting results. Water Purity Assured Still, botijos hold a fascination for people across Spain. Part of it stems from a feeling of nostalgia. A rural exodus during the 60s and 70s swept Spaniards into cities. Many of today’s urban dwellers love the jugs as a reminder of the villages their parents and grandparents came from, where botijos were part of everyday life. Spaniards appreciate botijos as symbols of their roots, even if they use them only occasionally. The collection now belongs to Martín’s children, who keep it in a large and dusty attic that is only opened on request. The attic is cluttered with botijos on tables, shelves, closets, and the floor. There’s just enough space to walk from one room to another. They estimate the collection has between 800 and 1,000 jugs. The amphora-conditioned water is more energetic and carries more electrical charges – the conditioned water saw a rise in conductivity from 698 to 742 uS/cm. The result indicates that the conditioned water is richer in electrolytes. By contrast, reverse osmosis and distilled water carry very low electrical currents and water treated to reduce conductivity is not as healthy for us and not considered fit for drinking. At first glance, the explanation behind the botijo’s cooling powers seems simple. When the jug is full, water completely permeates the porous, unglazed clay. Then, the water molecules on the surface evaporate, taking warmth with them. As a result, the water inside the botijo cools down. The mechanism is much the same as how the human body cools itself with sweat. In fact, it’s said that the botijo “sweats” as its surface dampens during the process. When placed in a warm place with dry, moving air, the botijo can decrease water temperature up to 10ºC (18ºF) in just an hour*⁠—a blessing during a hot Spanish summer. Orellana’s nearly complete botijo, with all its parts attached. Ignacio Amigo

Ammonia. Ammonia, finds its way into water from natural causes but also from fertilizers and other industrial processes. Some water companies use a process called chloramination to add ammonia to water to prolong the effects of chloride. Our test results showed a 50% reduction.

Lead. Lead enters water when water pipes and tanks of lead corrode and as a result of industrial processes, such as mining, smelting and burning. Lead is very poisonous. Our tap water contains and average of 4.63 micrograms per litre. Our test on water conditioned in the amphora, brought the values down to less than 1 microgram per litre. Scrub the cork with a clean Scrubby and Soapnuts and Citric Acid as above. Then place the cork in a vegetable steamer and steam it for 3-5 minutes. The cork will be sterilized. It is soft and wet when you take it out of the steamer. Let it dry before replacing it in or on the amphora. The amphora is ready for reuse. How to Refresh the Amphora with a Sun Bath

On average our tap water is pH 7. Water which had been conditioned in the amphora overnight showed an increase in alkalinity to pH 7.8. Scientifically minded customers will know that the pH scale is logarithmic, and so this represents a large increase. Alkaline water is much better for us. Reduces Bacteria Rather like the skin, the amphora sweats out toxins – these form on the outside of the amphora. This increases the purity of the water inside the amphora and helps to cool the water within. The bowl will catch all the drips and keep your floor or work surface dry. Empty the bowl as needed to prevent it over-flowing.Variations of this story can be heard all across Spain. In La Rambla, a city in the province of Córdoba with a long pottery tradition, there have been a few campaigns to promote local clay products in general and the botijo in particular. One of them asked Whatsapp, Spain’s messaging app of choice, to add a botijo emoji. A botijocatching a breeze. Basotxerri/CC BY-SA 4.0