What are Forrest & Love bottles and glasses made of?
Our bottles and glasses are made of > 99% pure copper. Each product is formed from a single sheet of pure copper with no joints or seams and capped with a leak-proof lid, also made of pure copper. We do not use any heavy metals or aluminum in the production process. Besides, our bottles are TÜV Rheinland tested for their copper purity. The outer layer of the bottles and glasses is coated with food safe lacquer. It is a protective covering that prevents tarnishing and discoloring and makes the bottles & glasses shine. From the inside, the bottles and glasses are kept completely raw, unprocessed and uncoated.
Are Forrest & Love products handmade?
Yes. Each piece is handcrafted by our artisans using traditional techniques. Our products are perfectly imperfect, nuanced to be beautiful, like nature, where no two things are ever the same. You may notice some irregularities and imperfections in the finishing – just how natural, handmade products have to be.
Forrest & Love copper products are TÜV Rheinland tested. What do the tests prove?
Our products have been tested for:
Copper content > 99% pure high grade copper as per the test report.
Toxicity = None detected – no harmful metals like Lead found, as per REACH Agreement.
Food Safety = Bottle contents as well as Lacquer used on outer surface have been proven to be completely food safe.
How long do I have to store water in my copper vessel, to have the perfect copper infused water?
To get the full benefits of copper-enriched water, Ayurveda recommends filling up your copper bottle or glass the night before and start the day by drinking a cup in the morning to cleanse and detoxify your body.
The optimal storage time according to our lab tests is 8-12 hours, whereby the copper value in the water increases steadily. Do not store the water longer than 12 hrs. Alternatively, you can also immediately drink from your copper product after pouring into it, just like your usual drinkware.
Will I taste the copper in the water?
It is most likely you will just experience the smooth, silky taste of pure, clean water. However, over a period of months you may get a hint of a copper taste. This would probably be due to a slight patina build-up inside the bottle. If this happens, it’s time to clean your bottle. Simply follow the cleaning instructions or watch our cleaning video.
What type of water should I use in my copper water bottle?
Our copper bottles, tumblers and jugs are to be used only with still water. You can store any type of still water in your copper container – filtered water, bottled water or even tap water. You will probably notice the greatest difference with tap water, which is generally the least alkaline and in need of the most care. Sparkling or carbonated water, acidic beverages or any flavourings like lemon slices, mint leaves etc. are not to be used with the copper products.
Can I use juices, tea, coffee or fruits such as lemon in my copper bottle?
Forrest & Love copperware is suitable only for still water. Copper, just like any other precious metal, may react with acidic liquids (anything with a pH of less than 7) or milk-based fluids. If you want to flavour your water, you can gladly add the flavourings to another glass once the copper water has been poured from the copper container.
Can I use hot liquids and tea or coffee in my copper bottle?
Copper reacts negatively with the acid content of beverages like tea or coffee. Besides, copper is a soft, conducting metal, which can heat up very fast and possibly lead to deformation. Hence, only still water is to be used with our copper bottles; preferably at room temperature. In case of hot water, please make sure that the water is not boiling hot.
Is there a risk of copper toxicity from using copper bottles or glasses?
The levels of copper absorbed by water stored in our copperware is completely safe. The danger of copper toxicity only arises when copper is consumed in huge quantities. According to our lab tests, the permissible limit of 2.0mg/L is not surpassed even when the water is stored for 36 hours.
To optimally enjoy copper-enriched water, we recommend a maximum storage time of 12 hrs.
Can I drink too much copper infused water, making it harmful for my health?
If you drink up to 1 litre of copper water throughout the day, it is completely safe. It is very unlikely that you drink too much copper water throughout the day, because according to our laboratory test, the copper value is much below the permissible limit of 2.0 mg/L even up to 36 hours.
Can drinking from a copper water bottle cure my copper deficiency?
For those with a copper deficiency, drinking water from a copper water bottle could help. However, if you are suffering from a copper deficiency you must consult your health practitioner before consuming copper water as treatment.
Should I clean my copper bottle and glass before using it for the first time?
We recommend cleaning your new copper bottle or glass thoroughly before their first use. Simply rinse with warm water and mild soap or salt water from within.
How can I remove the stickers from my copper tumbler or copper jug?
The stickers can be removed very easily using a simple method. As you should clean the product before use anyway, you can do this straight away with hot water. Fill the copper container with hot water and the sticker can be removed in a few minutes without leaving any residue, the same way that heat is used to remove stickers from new pots and pans. This method also works on the adhesive residue if the sticker has already been torn. Simply fill with hot water and wipe off from the outside with a cloth. We advise against using any harsh chemical cleaning agents, brushes or steel wool.
How to clean my copper bottle or glass from inside?
t’s easy – simply put a table spoon of citric acid powder in your copper bottle or glass. Pour hot water until the neck and allow the mixture rest for a few minutes (max. 2-3 mins). Once you notice that the patina and dark spots have disappeared and your bottle shines as new from within, you can rinse off the bottle or glass and wash once again with lukewarm water. Your copper bottle or glass is good as new!
Sometimes a patina build-up or discolouration occurs around the lid of the bottle. Use a squeezed lemon with some salt to wipe inside the neck/thread of the bottle and then rinse off with clean water.
Please remember: If you are using vinegar or lemon for cleaning, do not store the mixture for a long time. Both vinegar and lemon could react very strongly with copper. Citric acid powder is mild and thus always a safe bet for cleaning your copper bottles and glasses!
Are Forrest & Love copper products dishwasher friendly?
We do not recommend cleaning your copper bottles and glasses in the dishwasher. The outer lacquer may rub off, taking away the classic copper shine. The outer lacquer protects bottles and glasses from discolouring and oxidation.
How often should I clean my bottle?
Copper acts anti-bacterial and contains self-sterilizing properties. Thus, you need not was wash your water bottle or glass every day. We recommend cleaning your bottle and glass about once a week if you use it regularly. When not in use, do not store water in the bottle or glass and keep it dry.
Can I clean my bottle or glass from outside?
The outer surface of your bottle and glass has been coated with food grade lacquer which protects it from oxidization and discoloring. You do not need to clean your bottle or glass from outside as it will only rub off the lacquer over time.
Are Forrest & Love copper products sustainable and how long to their benefits last?
Yes! Not only are they a graceful replacement for plastic bottles, but also good for your vitality and good for this planet. If well handled, they can be passed on to the next generation. Copper can retain its positive qualities even after centuries of use.
Is copper recyclable?
It has been estimated that at least 80% of all copper ever mined is still in use, or available for use, today, having been recycled over and over. Copper’s ability to be recycled repeatedly, without any loss in performance, is an important sustainable benefit. Today, around 50% of Europe’s copper demand is met by recycled material. It’s an abundant metal in Earth’s crust, present at concentrations of 50 parts per million. Its abundance is 2.5 x 10-4 mg/L in sea water. So yes, copper is 100% recyclable
What makes us stand out, in terms of production impact and production waste management?
We are happy to share that our production is resource efficient and in line with our sustainability mission. As the Forrest & Love products are handmade, the production impact in terms of CO2 Output on the environment is far lower than that of competing products made from other materials on mass scale production. Our water bottles and glasses are still produced using traditional copper molding techniques practiced by our forefathers since generations. Besides, the copper waste, scrapes and unused copper sheets are gathered and sent back for recycling.
Why is copper so long-lasting?
The answer is simple! Because copper self-passivates. This means that copper creates an oxidized layer on itself — and once this occurs, it’s pretty much immune to any environmental elements or hazards. This quality makes copper very different from other metals, which could rust when they oxidize, and then eventually deteriorate. Copper is so durable and lightweight that the material can last for several hundred years. Tests conducted on 18th-century European buildings with copper roofs show the material might last for up to 1,000 years before full replacement is necessary.