I have been wondering how these charcoal things work to purify water and how to use them... here is a short video - The black Binchotan coal you see above is actually white charcoal made from Japanese oak heated in an oxygen-starved kiln until it turned to carbon. The charcoal will absorb chlorine and unpleasant tastes and odors while infusing your water with natural minerals. Binchotan Charcoal has a variety of uses, including filtering water, to bringing out flavor when cooking rice, deodorizing rooms and refrigerators, and promoting healthy soil in your garden. The black sticks are very delicate, like porcelain. As stated in the film one stick will last about 3 months, and at the end of its life you can crush it and mix it with soil so plants can benefit from it.
I have heard from people that it makes water taste amazingly clear and almost sweet - but I am sure that's in the eye of the beholder.
here is where you can buy them
