The craze for premium bottled water is spreading across India. In the luxurious setting of a specialty food store in Ahmedabad, Avanti Mehta, 32, meticulously pours water from glass bottles. She is not serving wine, but rather presiding over a "water tasting" session. Guests use specialized glasses, sipping to distinguish the mineral content and salinity of renowned brands such as Evian, Perrier (France), and Aava (India).

For the elite, an imported mineral water bottle priced at USD 3 or more—15 times the cost of regular water—is not just a beverage; it is a new symbol of sophistication. Mehta, who refers to herself as a "water sommelier"—a concept largely unfamiliar in the country—explains the appeal. "When you turn on the tap at home, you don't get standard quality water. That's what you pay to buy", Mehta told the curious guests.

Avanti Mehta, 32, India's youngest water sommelier, pours Aava natural mineral water into a glass in Ahmedabad. Photo: Reuters.

This boom stems from a paradox of development. In a nation of 1.4 billion people, access to clean water is a privilege. Studies indicate that 70% of groundwater here is contaminated, and tap water is largely undrinkable. The premium bottled water market in India is valued at USD 400 million, projected to capture an 8% share of the total bottled water industry by 2025, a significant increase from 1% in 2021.

Amulya Pandit, a consultant at Euromonitor, observed that the lack of trust in public water sources has driven people to bottled water. He noted, "They are beginning to understand the value of minerals and are willing to pay, even at a high price". B.S. Batra, a real estate developer in New Delhi, stated that his family uses premium water for all their culinary needs. "I use mineral water even when mixing whisky, and my children use it for smoothies. My body feels more energized", Batra shared.

A premium natural mineral water tasting session in India, 9/1. Photo: Reuters.

This trend is attracting both the entertainment industry and major corporations. Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar recently launched her own water brand, priced at USD 2.2 for a 750 ml bottle. The Tata Group is also expanding its premium water portfolio, targeting customers who "buy health without looking at the price". Sales of imported mineral water at luxury food stores have tripled over the past year. However, for the vast majority of the population, this remains an unattainable luxury. Hoshini Vallabhaneni, a guest at Mehta's water tasting, admitted after sipping from a USD 3 bottle: "It is really expensive. If you drink it every day, it will empty your pockets".

Minh Phuong (According to Reuters)