The Benefits of White Charcoal

The spotlight of the week is Binchotan Charcoals or you might have known it as white charcoals. Little did I know that there were other types of charcoals that are great to be incorporated from your home-care to skin care. Read more below. 

Charcoals. As silly as this sounds, I never knew that we could use charcoals beyond just bbq-ing with it. Heck, I did not even realize that there were other types of charcoals such as Binchō-tan aka white charcoals. This was only until I am Natural Store stocks Morihata Binchotan, a brand that offers a range of Binchō-tan-based product like eye mask, blotting paper or tooth brush. So what exactly are they? Binchotan is widely produced and imported from a specific place in Wakayama, Japan. The charcoals themselves are derived from an oak tree and when burnt, it does not release smoke or unpleasant charcoal odour you get from other ones due to the very high pure carbon content. Therefore, Binchotan are highly recommended for grilling when you do not want the smoke to interrupt with the flavour of the food.



Now, due to the increasing popularity of these white charcoals, you have to be careful in selecting it because many claim that they are white charcoals but they are not necessarily Binchotan. Binchotan is a very high quality one, thus the high price.

What are the uses and benefits of using these charcoals? 

1. Purifies water

Wash the charcoal and then put it inside a boiling water in the pan for 10 minutes. After it's done, leave it until cool and you are ready to use the charcoal to purify your water like pictured in the first one. Put it in the fridge and leave it overnight. You can use it this way everyday until 3 months, but you need to reactivate the charcoal by boiling it every month like explained previously. 

100 g of charcoal will effectively purifies 1 litre of water per month. 

How does it work? Binchotan absorbs chlorine and other chemicals (from tap water) while releasing natural minerals of its own. It has an alkaline effect (PH level of 8 - 8.5), it softens and improves the overall taste of water. (source)

2. Biodegradable: put it in your plant pots!

After you're done using the charcoals from purifying the water and what not, break them down into smaller pieces by hammering them in a cloth (to avoid splattering) and place the pieces into your plant pots. 

What does it do? The charcoals help to increase microbial activities and alkalises the soil to reinforce the trace of minerals in it, thus making it an excellent fertiliser! (source)

3. Make your plants and fruits last longer 

Some people like to put binchotan on top of their fruits in the fruit bowl as well as put it inside a vase filled with water to make your flowers last longer. It has also been proven by Danish Technological Institute that it helps in keeping the food fresh inside the fridge- "They say; ‘Ethylene is a potent plant hormone. It stimulates the ripening of fruit and flowers. In order to prevent fruit ripening in refrigerators, a cube seems to be highly effective since it readily adsorbs the ethylene gas produced by the fruits. The cubes also seem to be highly effective when it comes to eliminating bad smell from refrigerators.’" (Source).

4. Purifies the air inside your home, your drawer, fridge, cars, closets, and ect.  

Binchotan can act as a humidity regulator by attracting moisture to it and releasing it when the air is dry. It is also a climate controller and good at getting rid of toxins and odours in the air (source: 1, 2). It is best to place it in a small compact room. 

5. By electrical Appliances

Binchotan can block harmful electromagnetic waves with its unique electrical conductivity. Place it near the televisions, microwaves, computers and mobile phones (source). 

6. For a purifying bath 

Add approximately 300g of Binchotan in hot bath water. This way, Binchotan emits ultra infrared rays which enhance blood circulation and keep your body warm and relaxed for a long time after (source).



7. Add to your rice pot/ rice cooker when cooking rice

Binchotan emits far infrared rays when the temperature rised in the rice cooker, and the rice will cook completely. Far infrared rays can retain the taste of the food and eliminate any unpleasant smells. Binchotan will release healthy minerals into your food (source).



8. Minimalist decoration pieces whilst purifying 

A few have also incorporated Binchotan into their skin care, hair care and also body care and even wellness! Here are some:

(from left to right) Morihata toothbrush in 5 different colours, Morihata eye mask to alleviate tired eyes, Sort of Coal Kuro & Shiro shampoo, Sort of Coal edible charcoal powder, Morihota facial soap, Chikuno & Sort of Coal air purifier cube, Morihata facial puff

Isn't this so intriguing? Have you tried? Are you willing to try?