STORY
Inside the Water Taste Lab: How Coway’s Water Sommeliers are Taking Water Quality to the Next Level
2025.09.09
Coway's Water Sommeliers
Established in 2019, Coway’s Water Taste Evaluation & Research Lab, located in the company’s Environmental Technology Research Institute (R&D Center) in Seoul, Korea, is home to a unique group of experts: nationally-certified water sommeliers. Coway is the only company in the industry operating a dedicated water taste research lab.
Harnessing Science for Better Tasting Water
Similar to their namesakes in the wine industry, water sommeliers are specialists able to evaluate the sensory qualities of water, ensuring that Coway’s water purifiers deliver water that is as enjoyable to drink as it is safe. By studying the factors that influence water quality and taste, they validate and enhance the drinking experience. This year, Coway certified 15 new water sommeliers, bringing the company’s total to 44 – the largest in the industry. Among them, 10 hold Advanced Level certifications, enabling them to lead training and education in water taste.
Coway’s Environmental Technology Research Institute (R&D Center) in Seoul, Korea
Since the launch of the initiative in 2012, Coway has been expanding its water sommelier program in order to strengthen its research capabilities. The lab also pioneered the industry’s first proprietary water taste standard, the ‘GPT (Good Pure Tasty) Water Index.’ Today, water sommeliers play a central role in product development, assessing water taste and quality throughout filter design and testing processes. Their expertise ensures Coway is delivering to its customers water that is not only clean and safe, but that is also consistently pleasant across the company’s diverse range of markets.
Coway's Icon Water Purifier 2 (CP-7211N)
Achieving International Certification and Recognition
Beyond this taste expertise, Coway has also achieved international recognition for the water safety and performance of its products. Coway was the first in the industry to obtain global certification from the Water Quality Association (WQA), a recognized international certification body for water purifiers, back in 2008.
Additionally, Coway’s filters have been certified by the WQA to a variety of leading industry standards, including NSF/ANSI 42 (aesthetic effects), 53 (health-related effects) and 58 (reverse osmosis systems). More than 80 of the company’s products carry the WQA’s Gold Seal Mark, a clear assurance of product quality, durability and safety.
Setting the Global Benchmark for Water Expertise
Moreover, Coway’s specialized overseas research & development (R&D) systems empower the company to develop custom products tailored to the specific requirements of each country it operates in. By collecting and analyzing water samples the world over, Coway has developed its proprietary “Water Map”, a database containing findings from approximately 2,700 water sources in 41 countries. This extensive catalog of samples allows Coway to deliver optimal and localized products and services that align with each region’s unique water characteristics.
With the industry’s largest team of certified water sommeliers, advanced R&D capabilities and internationally-certified products, Coway continues to set the benchmark for water expertise. Coway’s mission is simple yet powerful: to deliver water that is safer, cleaner and consistently better-tasting, every single day.
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