Bulgaria has over 225 mineral springs with a total capacity of over 5,000 litres per second. The ancient Thracians and Romans chose the vicinity of mineral waters, this natural elixir for the soul, body and mind, to build their settlements, treat diseases and make offerings to the water deities. Today, these mineral springs continue to be a gift of nature to modern humans. One of the most famous Bulgarian mineral springs is Mihalkovo, gushing out from the depths of the Mountain of Orpheus - the Rhodopes. This is the only naturally carbonated mineral water in the Balkans and one of the few mineral waters in Europe that are produced in a naturally sparkling condition. We learn more from the CEO of Mihalkovo AD, Mr. Dimitar Dalgachev, in an interview for Radio Bulgaria.

Mr. Dalgachev, what is the history of Mihalkovo carbonated water, how was it discovered?

"The Mihalkovo naturally carbonated mineral water has almost 80 years of tradition. The spring was discovered in 1936.  The bottling of the mineral water in the village of Mihalkovo in Smolyan Municipality began in 1956 when the first bottle of "Mihalkovska voda" became an exhibit at the Plovdiv Fair. The factory is one of the oldest producers of bottled mineral water in Bulgaria. In 1970, a new factory was opened. In 2010, Mihalkovo AD, a joint stock company with 100% private capital, was set up."

What are the other products with the Mihalkovo brand?

"Since 2012, we also bottle Mihalkovo spring water. It gushes out very close to the ground - at a depth of 0-100 metres and has very low mineralization. Mihalkovo spring water with the pink label is one of the lowest mineralized waters in Bulgaria with a total mineralization of 72 mg/L and very low sodium/salt content - 2.8 mg/L. Therefore, it is suitable for babies, in low sodium diets, and when it is important to avoid water retention in the body. As of the beginning of 2014, we have new products on the market - the Mihalkovo naturally carbonated water with different fruit flavours and new products with a new brand "Vitu" - low-calorie drinks with spring water that have good success as their sales mark a sustainable upward trend."

Today more and more people rely on natural healing products. Could you describe in more detail the healing properties of water?

"The properties of Mihalkovo naturally aerated water were studied by a scientific team led by one of the national water experts Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lydia Vladeva. Here is some specific information - the Mihalkovo naturally carbonated mineral water helps to restore the salt balance in the body during active sports activities and is extremely beneficial in the treatment of many conditions.

The pleasant taste and healing properties of the Mihalkovo mineral water are due entirely to the minerals through which it passes on its way to the ground. Very important is its mineralization. The naturally carbonated mineral water from Mihalkovo is characterized by a total mineralization of 2913,96 mg/L. In terms of its chemical composition, it is characterized as hydrothermal, carbonic, hydro-sodium-calcium, silicon and mildly fluorine, limpid and colourless. The unique mix of diverse and beneficial essential components such as minerals and trace elements, combined with the natural content of carbon dioxide, turn Mihalkovo aerated water into a refreshing and energizing drink."

Mr. Dalgachev, is the Mihalkovo water a brand popular abroad?

"We already sell out water in Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, China, Greece, and Lithuania. We have inquiries from Canada, England, Turkey and we are currently negotiating with other prospective customers. Actually, maybe I answered the question where the water is sold, not whether it is well-known. But the mere fact that we already sell outside Bulgaria means that the mineral waters of the Mihalkovo brand are becoming more and more popular and are in demand abroad.

Thanks to the EU finds, the Bulgarian companies received access to more finances allotted for modernization. The application procedures are not so easy, but I think it is worth the effort. We won two projects under European programmes for a period of four years. We invested these funds in a new production line for our 0.5-litre bottles and in a brand new line, which allows us to bottle sweetened beverages and scented waters. We also invested in a special facility which catches the natural CO2 from the water itself, so we do not have to buy this substance anymore."

Finally, is there any connection between the naturally carbonated Bulgarian water and the Bulgarian traditional cuisine? People abroad usually say that we have a wonderful cuisine, but when they try to prepare some of the Bulgarian specialties, things do not happen the right way.

"Yes, there is such a connection because the Bulgarian natural products are unique. Every Bulgarian housewife knows that the good Bulgarian banitsa (cheese pastry) and the juicy meatballs are best made with Mihalkovo fizzy water. If you eat too much of them, you can later soothe your stomach with our carbonated water."

English: Rossitsa Petcova