Hamidiye water, which has come to be identified with the city's history, is a commercial brand but also an element of the city's water culture that has remained until today, much like the city's many fountains. The Hamidiye water company, established in 1902 by Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamit II, is one of Istanbul's oldest brands and indispensible tastes. Produced in partnership with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Hamidiye Water A.S. provides water not only to Istanbul and Anatolia but to 27 nations. It's not just its taste and quality that is interesting but its historical and cultural tale, one which has become identifiable with Istanbul and which makes it appealing. Hamidiye water is drawn from 15 wells that go 200 meters into the ground under the Belgrade Forest.
Hamidiye A.S. CEO Kenan Kilic notes that they are Turkey's leading water company in exports. They have also been the official beverage of many international meetings. During the UN climate summit in Copenhagen, International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings and the World Water Forum (WWF), Hamidiye water was consumed. Also, over 20 international airlines serve Hamidiye water to their passengers.
A marketing group the company formed back in 2005 traveled abroad extensively to market the Hamidiye brand. Its first international customer was Royal Dutch Airlines. Explaining the reason why they were able to attain international success so quickly, Kilic said: "Hamidiye water comes from 200 meters below the ground, almost of its own will. It's not drawn through drilling. The water picks up minerals from the soil as it comes up. This gives it taste. When water is drilled for, this is not the case. This is why countries with very different taste buds from us can enjoy our water."
Mentioning nutrition brings to mind food eaten with a fork and knife. However, water is also a nutritional sustenance. Spring water, in particular, contains many elements that the body needs. People in developed countries have realized this. Many in these countries now drink natural spring water with their meals instead of artificial beverages. "Drinking water is divided into three groups. The first group is water that is beneficial to the body. It is considered sustenance. The second group is water that is neither beneficial nor harmful. This is processed and filtered water. The third group is harmful water," explains Kilic, and adds that a lot of this water can be found on the market. He warns consumers, saying: "Laboratories can analyze water quickly and inexpensively. People should not shy away from having the water they are consuming analyzed."
Hamidiye's water cartons have become highly sought after. A sterile bag is filled with water and then placed into a cardboard box. This boxed water comes in 12- and 20-liter versions, and the carton can been thrown away once the water has been used up.
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