Miyabi Charcoal

Our bamboo charcoal adsorbs tap water impurities as they attach to the porous surface area within the bamboo charcoal. Tests indicate that bamboo charcoal removes chlorine, chloride, phosphorus, ammonia, toluene (alcohol), nitrogen, chloramine (ammonia and chlorine compound added to water to kill pathogens), and even toxins like pesticides that can seep into tap water. Bamboo charcoal adsorbs solids and gases, but not pathogens, so we don't recommend relying on bamboo charcoal to filter creek water while hiking. 

Compared to wooden charcoal, bamboo charcoal has high adsorptive power and contains many mineral components (especially potassium, calcium and silicic acid). A test conducted by the Division of Forest Management (Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) in 2004, found that the pH value of bamboo charcoal-purified water changes from acidic to alkaline when bamboo is carbonized at a high heat, our charcoal is carbonized at 800 degrees celsius.

Does bamboo charcoal add anything to tap water? 

Yes! Bamboo charcoal leaches minerals like magnesium, silicone, silicic acid* and calcium into your tap water as it adsorbs impurities. You are making your own mineral water! Filter systems like reverse osmosis removes everything from water - even the good minerals. If you have a home filtration system, make sure to add bamboo charcoal to your drinking water so you don't miss these essential minerals. You might see trace amounts of bamboo charcoal in your tap water - this residue is packed with nutrients, so enjoy! *Silicic acid, which is essential for cultivating agricultural crops and soil reinforcement, is contained in the epidermis of bamboo. This means that bamboo charcoal can be used as a soil conditioner and organic fertilizer additive. 

How long does bamboo charcoal last?

Everyone has different quality tap water. We recommend that you replace your bamboo charcoal every 4 weeks for optimal results. If there is a lot of chloramine in your water, you will taste a difference when the bamboo charcoal has stopped adsorbing the chemical compound. However, many toxins in tap water do not have a notable flavor, so we suggest replacing the pieces every 4 weeks to ensure properly filtered tap water.